Nike Have Lost Interest in Men's Football
- Nike's Shift in Strategy: Nike has been decreasing its investment in men's football since 2019, focusing more on women's football and other sports.
- Lost Contracts: Nike has lost several major team and player contracts to competitors like Puma and Adidas, including kit deals with teams and the official ball supply for major leagues.
- Retention of Elite Players: While Nike has lost many player contracts, they are still retaining contracts with top, marketable players.
In recent years, and especially in 2023, Nike have abandoned many relationships and contracts, from football kits to boots and balls for major tournaments. It seems that Nike are cleaning up their current contracts or, in the words of @TheBarcaLad21, that Nike are losing interest in football.
Nike Strategy Change Already Announced in 2019 - Focus on Women's Football & Other Sports
The reason why many think that Nike "have lost their interest in football" dates back to 2019. Starting with the 2019 Women's World Cup, Nike announced that they would be giving more attention to women's football and other sports in general.
Nike have lost interest in Men's football, the Women's game has leveled up remarkably
Since the announcement in 2019, development started that did not slow down in any case - more money and attention to Women's football and sports in general, less money and attention to Men's football.
Football Kit Suppliers
Recently, various football teams and national teams have confirmed that they are ending their relationship with Nike, including Galatasaray, RB Leipzig, New Zealand and, soon, Portugal.
Previously, Nike did also not renew shirt supply contracts with two major Premier League teams, Manchester City and Manchester United. As a result, Manchester City became Puma's elite team and Manchester United became Adidas' elite team. Currently, the Manchester United x Adidas kit deal is also the most valuable in the world.
Football Boots
The development is even cleaner when it comes to player contracts. Since 2020, Nike have lost more than 50 of their most important players. In 2023 alone, Nike have not extended deals with more than 10 players, most of them to Adidas or Puma.
However, Nike still have contracts with top players such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Jamal Musiala, and Vinicius Jr. Both Haaland and Vinicius Jr were just recently renewed - Nike want to keep the best and most marketable players, but many players below them have to look for new suppliers to get "big money".
Major Tournaments Ball
In 2023, Nike lost the contract to supply balls for all Conmebol competitions (including the Copa America and Copa Libertadores). From the 2025-26 season, they will no longer supply the English Premier League, getting replaced by Puma - this means that Nike have no big league deal soon.
Nike used to supply the balls for La Liga, Serie A, and Premier League. All these contracts were taken over by Puma - This makes Puma to the world's leading official ball maker next to Adidas.
Have Nike lost interest in (Men's) football? Do you think Nike will have even fewer top teams and players in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
Vintage Football Shirts
from Cult Kits
O'Fenomeno Brazil 1998 Ronaldo Tee
Japan Nakamura Bootleg Tee
2006 Japan Adidas Samurai Blue Supporters Tee (M)
2019/20 Valencia *BNWT* Stadium Jacket (Multiple Sizes) Puma
2003/04 Sevilla Pablo Alfaro #24 *Match Issue* Third Shirt (XL) Joma
2008/09 Sweden Ibrahimovic #10 *BNWT with Defects* Home Shirt (XL) Umbro
Il Divin Codino Baggio Italy Tee
2017/18 PSG Mbappe #29 *BNWT with Defects* L/S Away Shirt (M) Nike
2004/05 AC Milan Shevchenko #7 Home Shirt (M) Adidas
2001/02 Real Madrid Centenary Rain Jacket (M) Adidas
Dorking Wanderers 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
English National League South side Dorking Wanderers have officially revealed their new home and away kits for the 2026-2027 season.
The new 26-27 home shirt introduces a classic and timeless design, stripping things back to a traditional aesthetic. It features bold red and white vertical stripes that draw inspiration from historic European football heritage. To complete the clean and authentic on-pitch look, the home jersey is perfectly paired with deep blue shorts and traditional white socks.
Following the launch of the primary strip, Dorking Wanderers also introduced their new 26-27 away kit, which delivers a much sharper and modern edge. This secondary jersey is defined by striking black and orange stripes, creating a strong contrast between dark and vibrant tones.
Notably, the club has thoughtfully replaced the betting sponsor with health and wellbeing partner Nuffield Health for all junior kits, while also actively reducing the price of youth shirts by £6 down to £39 to help younger fans afford their colors.
Which of these two striped Dorking Wanderers designs do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
Special Goiás 2026 'Romaria' Kit Released
Brazilian side Goiás EC and technical sponsor Diadora have officially launched a special edition "Romaria" kit for the 2026 season. This unique jersey is designed to honor the deep-rooted faith and cultural traditions of the club's supporters, known as the Emerald Nation.
Tying heavily into the local religious pilgrimages that take place in the state of Goiás, the release operates under the fitting motto, "Faith is not explained. It is carried," successfully blending regional heritage with modern football apparel.
The design of the new Goiás 2026 Romaria shirt is anchored by an off-white base that is heavily detailed with an intricate, tonal graphic pattern. This all-over print features ornate filigree and religious iconography directly inspired by the Divino Pai Eterno (Divine Eternal Father), a central figure in the state's famous annual pilgrimage. To contrast the subtle background artwork, Diadora has applied its logo and the classic circular 'G' club crest in a sharp, dark green on the chest, while subtle gold piping accents the shoulder lines.
The most striking colorful details of the kit are reserved for the sleeve cuffs, which feature vibrant, tricolor bands of blue, green, and yellow. Upon closer inspection, these colored stripes are inscribed with repeating "Divino Pai Eterno" text, further cementing the jersey's homage to the region's spiritual traditions.
What are your thoughts on this intricately detailed Diadora and Goiás Romaria kit? Let us know in the comments below.
Aldosivi 2026 Home and Away Kits Released
Kappa has officially unveiled the new home and away kits for Argentine side Aldosivi ahead of the second half of the 2026 season. Launched under the campaign themes of "Familia" and "Barrio," the Italian sportswear brand has delivered a set of bespoke designs that celebrate the club's rich history and deep connection to its local community in Mar del Plata.
The Kappa Aldosivi 2026 home shirt is part of the "Familia" collection, which serves as a tribute to the inherited passion that unites different generations of the club's supporters. The design stays remarkably true to the team's historical visual identity, featuring the classic green and yellow vertical stripes. The green stripes have a subtle pattern.
Complementing the primary strip is the new Aldosivi 2026 away kit, introduced as part of the "Barrio" collection to honor the local neighborhood and the people who define the club's everyday identity. This alternative jersey opts for a modern look in black with gradient logos and elements.
