When Players Wear the "Wrong" Kits
Apropos of nothing in particular, enjoy these photos of players wearing the shirts of teams they've never played for.
Players in the "Wrong" Kits
The chances are that when you think of a football player, you imagine them wearing either the kit of one of the clubs they've played for or their national team. You've seen them dressed the same on countless occasions, you're familiar with their career history and you probably associate them with a certain kit or colour. So when a photo pops up of them wearing the shirt of another team, one they've never represented, it can make you do a double take. There's a curious novelty to it, much like when a goalkeeper wears an outfield shirt. For your enjoyment, we've put together as many of these instances as we could find. Check them out below and let us know in the comments if we've missed any.
Post-Match Shirt Swaps
The well-worn tradition of swapping shirts with the opponent after a match has provided us with the lion's share of the photos for this particular football kit niche. Rather than pull on a jersey drenched with another person's sweat, most players just take their newly acquired souvenir home to add to their collection. Thankfully, some of them don't let personal hygiene get in the way of creating a photo opp that serves as a window into a parallel universe where their career path took some different twists and turns.
Zidane - AC Milan and Partizan Belgrade
Rivaldo - England
Ronaldo - England
Thierry Henry - Brazil and Portsmouth
Lionel Messi - Fiorentina
Neymar - Uruguay
Gary Lineker - Ireland
Gary Neville - Feyenoord
Alessandro Del Piero - AC Milan
Eden Hazard - PSG
Alan Smith - AC Milan
Charity Matches and Testimonials
These ones can be the most jarring at first glance. You know that player has never payed for that club, but the photographic evidence before your eyes shows them playing a real match in their full kit.
Gianfranco Zola - West ham (Tony Carr testimonial match)
Paul Gascoigne - Arsenal /Paul Merson testimonial match)
Francesco Totti - Inter
This is thought to be the only photo of Francesco Totti wearing the the shirt of a club other than Roma. It came about when Roma and Inter took to the field in each other's kits ahead of their Serie A clash in 1995. The idea was to encourage better relations between rival fans and to honour the memory of Genoa fan Claudio Spagnolo, who had been murdered two weeks previously by a Milan ultra, hours before the two sides faced off.
Forgotten Moves and Switched Allegiances
A young Juan Mata at Real Madrid.
Early days, loan spells, short-lived adventures, forgotten transfers and the ones that got away. Most of these players' careers blossomed a while after these photos were taken, although a couple of them made unexpected detours well after they had established themselves in the game.
John Obi Mikel - Manchester United (cancelled transfer)
Harry Kane - Leicester (loan)
Nicolas Anelka and Nicklas Bendtner - Juventus (both loans)
The two former Arsenal strikers(Bendtner was actually contracted to Arsenal at the time) contributed a joint total of 13 appearances and 0 goals, but still managed to come away with a Serie A winners medal each from their baffling spell together in Turin.
David Beckham - Arsenal (trained with club to maintain fitness)
Johan Cruyff - PSG (played 2 games in 1975 Paris Tournament)
Hector Bellerin - Watford (loan)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Arsenal (trial)
Diego Costa - Brazil (later switched allegiance to Spain)
Jack Grealish and Declan Rice - Ireland (both later switched allegiance to England)
Andre Onana and Mauro Icardi - Barcelona (youth teams)
Raul - Atlético Madrid (youth teams)
Samuel Eto'o - Real Madrid
Downtime
These players show that although their talent and ability is far superior to us mere mortals, we do at least have a shared appreciation for wearing football shirts in our free time for the sake of it.
Erling Haaland
Gregory Van der Wiel
Antoine Griezmann
Frank Kessié
Diego Maradona
Although he's featured in almost all of the above, Diego Armando Maradona deserves his own category as he truly was one of a kind. Probably invited to play in more charity matches and testimonials than anyone else, he was always fond of a shirt swap and when watching Boca Juniors or Argentina, he lived every moment from the stands with as much passion as the most fervent ultras. Even just a photo of Maradona wearing their club or country's shirt is enough to make fans dream of the magic that could have been with El Diego among their ranks.
Which photo is your favourite? Let us know about all the ones we missed in the comments.
No More Tolledo: ASA de Arapiraca Announce Junpe Kit Deal
Brazilian side Agremiação Sportiva Arapiraquense (ASA) has officially announced a new technical partnership with sportswear brand Junpe Uniformes. The deal will see the São Paulo-based company take over as the club's official kit supplier starting with the 2027 season, replacing previous manufacturer Tolledo Sports.
The partnership marks another significant expansion for Junpe across Brazilian football. Founded in 2018 in Bernardino de Campos, the manufacturer has quickly built a strong presence in the domestic market, providing kits for roughly thirty clubs, including Alagoas rivals CSA as well as teams such as Brusque, São Bento, and Santo André.
ASA and Junpe are expected to present the club's new match kit and training collection ahead of the 2027 campaign, in which the Alvinegro will compete in the Campeonato Alagoano and national tournaments.
Virgil van Dijk Fronts High-Tech Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide
Nike and wellness technology brand Hyperice have officially launched their newest collaborative innovation, the Nike Air Zoom Hyperslide. Fronted by Liverpool captain and Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk, the high-tech slide is engineered to bring professional-grade post-match recovery into an effortless everyday silhouette. The release represents the second major chapter in the Nike x Hyperice partnership following their high-top Hyperboot debut.
The slide integrates Hyperice's heat and massage therapy directly across the bridge of the foot using a removable, magnetic Hyperslide Pod housed inside an adjustable strap. The pod provides three adjustable heat levels reaching up to 47°C (117°F) alongside three targeted vibration settings designed to ease foot tension and boost circulation in 15-minute cycles. Underfoot, Nike supplies a low-profile, full-length Air Zoom unit to ensure high-end impact cushioning, with settings easily adjusted through on-device buttons or the companion Hyperice mobile app.
Designed for travel and post-training downtime, the slides are TSA carry-on friendly and offer up to an hour of battery life via USB-C recharging. The Nike x Hyperice Air Zoom Hyperslide is available in both Black and Orewood Brown colorways for $249 via Nike, Hyperice, and select global stockists.
Arka Gdynia 26-27 Third Kit Released - Celebrating 100 Years of Gdynia
Polish club Arka Gdynia and technical partner Macron have officially launched the club's new third kit for the 26-27 season. The special jersey has been created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Gdynia receiving city rights in 1926, paying homage to the city's rich maritime history and coastal identity.
The Macron Arka Gdynia 26-27 third jersey features a sandy beige base color inspired by the Baltic beaches and the city's centenary celebrations. Across the front panel is a tonal sublimated street map of Gdynia, referencing the city's famous concept of being built from sea and dreams. Contrast detailing arrives in dark brown on the sponsor prints and Macron branding, while the ribbed crew collar and sleeve cuffs are finished with brown, white, and yellow striping.
Several bespoke elements are incorporated into the design, highlighted by the exact geographical coordinates of the club's municipal stadium embroidered in gold thread on the upper back. The left sleeve displays a stylized 100 Gdynia anniversary badge, and custom neck tape carries a dedicated club motto inside the collar. The kit completes Arka's 26-27 match collection alongside the home and away jerseys released earlier this summer.
Mantova 1911 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian Serie B club Mantova 1911 and Adidas have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 26-27 season. Dubbed the "LOTO" jersey, the design is deeply rooted in local natural history, drawing direct inspiration from the lotus flowers that were introduced to the Mincio River and Lago Superiore in the 1920s and have since become a defining spectacle of the city.
The Adidas Mantova 1911 26-27 third jersey combines a dark base with brushstroke-like textured graphic patterns in shades of blue across the torso, evoking the flowing waters around Mantua. Traditional club identity is maintained through red and white trim on the crew-neck collar and sleeve cuffs. The Adidas three-stripe performance emblem appears in white on the right chest, placed opposite Mantova's classic crest.
The new jersey completes the club's matchwear collection for the 26-27 campaign alongside their clean white home and red away kits, delivering a distinct, nature-inspired alternative look on the pitch.
Punjab FC 26-27 Third Kit Released
Indian Super League side Punjab FC have officially revealed their new third kit for the 26-27 season, crafted by domestic kit partner Shiv-Naresh. The new release completes the club's wardrobe alongside their previously launched home and away strips.
The Shiv-Naresh Punjab FC 26-27 third jersey introduces a clean white base paired with vibrant orange accents on the round crewneck collar and sleeve cuffs. What sets the design apart is the rich orange floral artwork placed along the lower flanks and running across the sleeves, celebrating traditional Punjabi artistic heritage. A subtle all-over tonal pattern runs across the fabric, adding extra texture beneath the surface.
The shirt is finished with the black Shiv-Naresh panther logo on the right chest, the full-color Punjab FC crest on the left, and dafaNEWS branding placed in the center.
Fleetwood Town Unveil Commemorative Puma Shirt for Arsenal Carabao Cup Tie
Fleetwood Town have unveiled a special commemorative Puma home shirt to celebrate their upcoming League Cup fourth-round clash against Premier League giants Arsenal. The Cod Army secured their place in the last 16 following an impressive cup run featuring clean-sheet home victories over Chesterfield, Shrewsbury Town, and Sheffield United. The historic tie is scheduled to be played at Fleetwood's own Highbury Stadium on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Manufactured by Puma, the special edition 26-27 kit builds on Fleetwood's traditional look with a red body, contrasting white sleeves, and black-and-white detailing along the collar and cuffs. The standout addition is the embroidered match inscription placed neatly on the chest between the Fleetwood Town crest and the Puma cat logo, detailing the fixture, tournament round, venue, and date, sitting directly above the Ruby Energy main sponsor.
The shirt is the centerpiece of a broader official commemorative merchandise range released by the club for the occasion, which also includes a bespoke matchday programme, souvenir ticket, and commemorative scarf. Available in limited quantities, the jersey has been launched for pre-order through the club's online store priced at £70 for adult sizes and £60 for juniors.
Nike "Joga Bonito" React Gato & Streetgato Boots Released
Nike has introduced Brazilian-inspired "Joga Bonito" editions for the React Gato and Streetgato, paying homage to the brand's iconic 2006 campaign. The lifestyle and small-sided Streetgato arrives in a vibrant canary yellow upper with white accents and a classic gum outsole, while the indoor-focused React Gato is dressed in royal blue with silver detailing and embroidered "Joga" branding on the heel tab. Both models feature soft synthetic leather across the forefoot for an enhanced touch, combining heritage flair with modern court performance and React cushioning.
PSG to Wear Special Pink October Kit Against Lyon
Paris Saint-Germain and main sponsor Qatar Airways have unveiled their fifth consecutive Pink October initiative to support breast cancer awareness and patient care. For the campaign, PSG's 26-27 home kit features the iconic pink ribbon placed underneath the Qatar Airways logo, complete with a pink gradient effect and matching pink player names and numbers on the back. The men's squad will wear the special shirt during their Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyonnais on October 25 at the Parc des Princes, following appearances by the women's team against OL Lyonnes on October 17 and the handball side on October 10. Match-worn shirts from these fixtures will be auctioned off to raise funds for the AP-HP Sorbonne Université hospital network.
In-House FC Barcelona 92-95 Remake Kit Released
FC Barcelona has officially launched a brand new retro collection paying homage to one of the most celebrated eras in club history: the 1992-1995 Dream Team period. Fronted by first-team stars Pedri, Gavi, and Raphinha, the release takes heavy inspiration from the classic home kit worn under legendary manager Johan Cruyff during an era defined by domestic dominance and European glory.
The centerpiece of the capsule is the 1992-95 retro shirt, which recreates the aesthetic of the iconic 1990s Kappa design without Kappa logos. It features traditional wide blaugrana vertical stripes, an authentic spread polo collar, and an all-over tonal jacquard pattern woven into the fabric. As an in-house club production rather than an official Kappa reissue, the original manufacturer branding and sleeve tape have been replaced with a stylish cursive "Barça" script on the chest and repeated along the sleeves.
Complementing the jersey, the retro capsule also includes matching blue shorts with branded side striping, an 1899 striped knitted sweater, and period-inspired socks, alongside optional #10 printing on the back of the shirt.
The Barcelona 1992-95 retro collection is available now exclusively through the official Barça online store and physical club shops, with the flagship shirt priced at €69.99.
Ecuador Release Special-Edition Kit for Japan Friendly
Ecuador and Marathon Sports have officially unveiled a special-edition yellow jersey for the national team's friendly against Japan on October 1, 2026, played at Yokohama International Stadium. The unique release continues Marathon's bespoke series designed specifically for Ecuador's late 2026 Asian tour.
Based on Ecuador's traditional yellow home shirt, the jersey is highlighted by intricate red line-art graphics across the lower front. The artwork depicts an Andean condor facing a Japanese red-crowned crane, symbolizing a duel between the cultural icons of both nations. Dark navy trims on the v-neck collar and sleeve cuffs complete the look, alongside patterned side panels.
The shirt follows the matching white collector's edition kit Ecuador debuted against South Korea a week earlier, which featured an Andean condor opposite a Korean tiger. Produced in limited quantities, the shirt will be worn during the match in Yokohama.