The Surprising Inspiration for Italy's 2006 World Cup Kits
Italy's 2006 home shirt is one of only 21 jerseys to have a World Cup final victory under its belt, but do you know what inspired it? Thanks to @The_Kitsman and @ChatShirt for bringing this to our attention.
The Inspiration for Italy's 2006 World Cup Winning Kits
Italy weren't amongst the favourites going into the 2006 World Cup, but looking back at their squad now, you may find that hard to believe. Gli Azzurri played the whole of the tournament wearing their blue home kit, with its distinctive navy shaded sections that curved from the underarm onto the sleeves, as well as on the back.
Although the shading has been said to resemble sweat patches, lifting the trophy in this shirt means that it has its place in history secured, while the away shirt is not remembered so fondly in comparison, due to its lack of association with the tournament. In may not look like it on the surface, but there is a common thread running through the two jerseys.
Don't just take my word for it (😂 how dare you not take my word for it!) listen to @ChatShirt interviewing Rob right here, in partnership with @subsidesports.#ChatShirtpic.twitter.com/ulyEJvX4tr
— The Kitsman (@The_Kitsman) November 3, 2022
As explained by their designer, Rob Warner, in the video above, they were both inspired by comic books and superheroes. The navy shaded sections reference the effects used in comic books to portray motion. The gold Puma logo and namesets also turned out to be a very suitable choice in hindsight.
The away shirt draws its inspiration from the blue Superman t-shirt worn under the everyday clothes of Clark Kent. It was a design unique to Italy, although the opponents they faced meant this shirt didn't get a runout in Germany. An interesting character to draw inspiration from, but we're not too sure about the execution of this one.
The two jerseys worn by Gigi Buffon throughout the campaign had both the shading effect and the undershirt v-neck. Especially appropriate given his old habit of wearing an actual Superman shirt under his Parma jersey.
Had these jerseys ever reminded you of comic books or superheroes before hearing this story? Comment below.
Special Virgil van Dijk x Patta Jersey Revealed
Amsterdam streetwear label Patta has teamed up with Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk and Nike to unveil a vibrant, one-off football jersey for the Virgil's Legacy Trophy. The international under-13 tournament, founded by the Liverpool defender in collaboration with his formative club Willem II, brings together 16 elite youth academies from across Europe to compete in Tilburg.
The shirt draws deep inspiration from Van Dijk's Surinamese heritage, taking stylistic cues from traditional pangi cloth, a brightly patterned woven textile central to Maroon and Surinamese culture. The design ingeniously weaves together the primary colors of every participating club, including Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, PSG, Ajax, and AC Milan, translating their identities into an eye-catching, blurred check motif across the entire shirt.
The reverse lists the complete roster of competing clubs under "The class of '26," complemented by a custom Patta x Nike co-branded jock tag on the lower hem.
The bespoke jersey has been created exclusively for the young players taking part in the tournament as a commemorative keepsake rather than receiving a general retail release.
First 2 Adidas 2027 Boot Packs Leaked
Video game modder BxR Mods has recreated the first two Adidas 2027 football boot collections, providing a clear preview of what the Three Stripes have prepared for early 2027.
The 2027 Base Pack marks an important transition for Adidas, centered around predominantly black uppers accompanied by heritage-inspired accent colors across all three core silos. Most notably, the collection features the next-generation Predator 27 with its classic fold-over tongue, the returning AdiPure line set to succeed the Copa franchise, and the updated F50 Hyperfast. Alongside the traditional black-based editions, the preview also showcases the first main pack of the year, the collection to be worn by Adidas' best players.
Both of these Adidas packs launch in January 2027.
Nike Inter Milan 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - New Image
A new image of the Nike Inter Milan 26-27 third kit has surfaced, confirming the retro-inspired look that pays tribute to the club's iconic 1997-98 third shirt worn during the Ronaldo era.
Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European Training Shirt + Collection Released
Liverpool and Adidas have officially unveiled their all-new European training collection for the 26-27 season. Promoted under the tagline "Made for Europe", the range will be worn by the squad during training sessions and media obligations ahead of Champions League fixtures.
The Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European training collection is built around a crisp white base complemented by vibrant red accents. The iconic Adidas Three Stripes run down the sleeves in red, while the chest displays a monochrome red Liverpool crest enclosed in a shield, alongside matching red Adidas and AXA sponsor branding. Streamlined paneling and high-performance cuts from the latest Adidas Tiro template complete the refined aesthetic.
The range includes authentic short-sleeve training tops, long-sleeve drill tops featuring integrated snood neck collars, and insulated sleeveless puffer vests. The complete Adidas Liverpool 26-27 European training collection is available now through the club's official online store and retail outlets.
Hong Kong 2026 Home Kit Released
Nike and the Football Association of Hong Kong, China have quietly revealed the new Hong Kong 2026 home shirt.
The Nike Hong Kong 2026 home jersey combines two shades of red in a subtle half-and-half design, with a centrally aligned chest layout. The circular HKFA crest is positioned right in the center of the chest, accompanied by a white Nike Swoosh directly beneath it.
First Time in 12 Years: Juventus Bring Back Long-Sleeved Kits on Pitch
Making his Juventus debut in the match against AC Milan, Nick Woltemade was the only Juventus player on the pitch wearing long sleeves. Excluding special-edition kits, the German strike became the first Bianconeri player made this choice since Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio back in the 13-14 season.
Remarkably, even Cristiano Ronaldo, a long-sleeve icon, never wore one during his time in Turin.