Nike Recycles European Football Shirts For Their 3 Japanese Outlets
Jan 2, 2021, by Pat
Update: Since Nike has launched all 3 home jerseys for their Japanese football teams it is now certain what everybody was already able to observe. Previously, our leaks indicated that this was bound to happen again. Nike's 3rd Japanese team, Kashima Antlers, received a mainly red home jersey with blue accents and white sponsor logos that features a subtle 'X' on the front.
Although it might not seem familiar at first glance because of the subtle application this graphic was recycled and previously used for Wolfsburg's 2020-21 home jersey. Wolfsburg is experimenting with a striking 'X' on the front of their home shirts since a few years, while this is a first for Kashima Antlers.
The Japanese club claims that "the novel front graphic expresses the moment when the deer horns and swords meet with an "X", and the dots arranged so that the "X" stands out create a sense of dynamism.
Original European Looks vs Recycled J League Jerseys
Having recently launched their new 2021 home kit, which we first showed you all the way back in March, Urawa Red Diamonds have stated that the patterend design draws inspiration from the roof of the Saitama Stadium.
Curiously, the exact same style of pattern also appeared on the Spartak Moscow 20-21 home kit, which was released back in August. The Russian club stated in the press release that the design was based on the shape of the Spartak crest, while the diamond shape also reflected the "brilliant history" of the club.
While all of this of course makes sense and a certain similarity exists between the "inspiration" and design, it would be better if Nike actually designed bespoke graphics for these teams - they have millions of supporters combined, after all.
In the case of Spartak, the club use a similar but bespoke pattern as the background for their website - surely Nike could have created something along those lines for the kit.
It's not the first time that Nike has "recycled" templates or graphics for its "second-tier" clubs. Something similar has happened with Eintracht Frankfurt and Sanfrecce Hiroshima, whose home kits also share the same graphic.
Frankfurt stated that the design was inspired by the historic Römer (city hall), where the club traditionally celeberate title wins with the supporters.
As for Sanfrecce...
"The 2021 season uniform is inspired by the triangle associated with Hiroshima and expresses Sanfrecce Hiroshima's powerful football style with the concept of a dynamic triangle. In addition, the dynamic feeling and speed of the three arrows, which is the identity of the club, are designed with digital graphics and purple gradation."
Let's just say that the inspiration appears to derive mostly from the Frankfurt city hall.
In any case, while none of these kits look bad, we would love to see Nike take a more unique approach for its "smaller" teams - similar to what Macron or Umbro are doing for example. It would certainly lend further credibility to the brand's claims about creating more unique designs and relying less on templates.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Comment below!
Special Rayados 'Legado 86' Commemorative Kit Released
Mexican side CF Monterrey and Puma have officially unveiled a special commemorative jersey, titled the Jersey Legado 86. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Monterrey's first-ever Liga MX league championship won in the Mexico 1986 tournament, the commemorative shirt made its on-pitch debut during their 26-27 Liga MX match against Cruz Azul.
The shirt's defining characteristic is the substitution of the modern club crest with the classic 1986 retro emblem, which showcases the historic mountain silhouette, vintage football, and classic club lettering. Puma positioned their red cat logo and the retro crest to replicate the arrangement seen on the original 1986 jersey, while modern club partners such as BBVA and Codere are incorporated across the traditional navy and white stripes.
Several bespoke detailing elements complete the design, including a star graphic with the number 86 printed inside the collar and the current Rayados crest positioned on the nape of the neck. Released in a limited run of 1,986 pieces, the collector's item pays homage to one of the most celebrated moments in the club's history.
FC Kaiserslautern 26-27 Special Kit Released
Bundesliga 2 side 1. FC Kaiserslautern have officially unveiled their special 2026-27 'Herz der Pfalz' (Heart of the Palatinate) kit. Made by Castore, the shirt debuted against Eintracht Braunschweig and celebrates the region's wine culture and late-summer wine festivals.
The special shirt features a light beige base with a darker stylized grapevine pattern, while Bordeaux-red details appear on the collar, cuffs and monochrome Castore and FCK logos. The 'Herz der Pfalz' wording is placed on the upper back, with additional lettering inside the collar.
What do you think of the new 1. FC Kaiserslautern 2026-27 special kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Various Argentine Clubs To Switch Kit Supplier
Following latest reports from Argentine kit expert Marca de Gol, various Argentine clubs are expected to change kit supplier for the upcoming 2027 season.
Notably, four top flight sides could already be on their way to partner with local brand Atomik: Vélez Sársfield, Atlético Talleres, Gimnasia La Plata and Atlético Tucumán. On the other hand, Italian brand Givova are seemingly losing two teams - Gimnasia as mentioned above and Atlético Unión to Fiume Sports.
Which of these supplier change do you look forward the most? Let us know in the comments.
Puma Kit Durability Questioned Again as Julian Ryerson Suffers Ripped Shorts
Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson suffered an unusual kit malfunction during BVB's 1-0 Bundesliga victory against VfB Stuttgart. Midway through the second half, the Norwegian international engaged in a physical duel with Stuttgart winger Jamie Leweling. As Leweling fell to the turf, he grabbed hold of Ryerson's shorts, completely tearing the outer seam apart and leaving the fabric hanging loose.
Ryerson initially attempted to carry on playing by knotting the shredded material at his hip. After repeatedly signaling toward the bench that the damaged kit could not hold up, he eventually made his way to the sideline. Second-choice goalkeeper Alexander Meyer rushed over to hand him a fresh pair, resulting in a brief moment where Ryerson was left in his base-layer yellow undershorts before donning the replacement gear and re-entering the pitch.
The incident has brought Puma's kit durability back under scrutiny. The German brand constructs its authentic elite kits using lightweight Ultraweave performance fabric, prioritizing minimal weight and high breathability. However, the delicate material has repeatedly faced criticism among supporters after tearing in high-intensity tussles, with Ryerson's mishap marking another visible tear on the Bundesliga stage this 26-27 season.
Monterrey Debuts Special Coca-Cola 100th Anniversary Kit Font
CF Monterrey sported a special commemorative nameset on their 26-27 Puma home kit during their Liga MX match against Cruz Azul at Estadio BBVA. The bespoke squad numbers and lettering were created in collaboration with longtime club partner Coca-Cola to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary in Mexico (1926-2026).
The font features an eye-catching textured look inspired by traditional Mexican artisan beadwork. Rendered in a bold red base adorned with intricate white, green, and red jewel-like accents reflecting the national flag, each number also integrates a subtle Rayados crest at the base. Positioned neatly above the numbers is the official red Coca-Cola 100 México anniversary script and lockup.
Alongside its on-pitch appearance with the first team, the commemorative nameset was released as an exclusive collector's edition. Only 100 supporters were given the opportunity to customize their 26-27 home shirt with the special font directly at the official Estadio BBVA club store.