Should Other Clubs Return to Previous Versions of Their Logos?
- Fan Discontent with Minimalist Logos: Many football fans dislike minimalist logo redesigns due to a perceived disconnect from tradition and emotional attachment to the original crests.
- Teams Reverting to Traditional Crests: Ajax Amsterdam and Atlético Madrid have returned to their older, more traditional logos after fan dissatisfaction with minimalist versions.
- Negative Impact of Minimalist Rebrands: Research suggests minimalist logos may hurt brand recognition and emotional connection, and the trend of recoloring logos has also drawn the ire of many fans.
Minimalism has swept through logo design across industries, including football, where many clubs have overhauled their crests to fit a sleeker, digital-first aesthetic. Many football fans did not like the fact that their teams were disconnected from tradition - now, it seems, the era of minimalist designs is over. Big thanks to graphic artist @EmilioSansolini for some of the images and the heads-up for this article.
Bayern Munich's logo throughout the years
Football crests are not just logos like those of an ordinary company. Fans often develop a strong emotional attachment to these motifs, which become part of the club structure. Changing the club crest is, therefore, one of the most important decisions for a football team as a whole, probably just exceeded by the team's colors and name.
Minimalist New Logos - A Trend in Reverse?'
Image via @EmilioSansolini.
Ajax Amsterdam and Atlético Madrid have reverted to their traditional crests following years of fan dissatisfaction with modernized versions. It was well-accepted by many, especially by their fans.
- Ajax: After 34 years with a minimalist design, the club reintroduced its classic crest to mark its 125th anniversary. According to Managing Director Menno Geelen, this decision was driven by long-standing fan demand
- Atlético Madrid: The club held a fan vote, and the overwhelming majority supported returning to the previous emblem.
Other Clubs to Follow Suit?
🙏 Juventus, take the chance and return to the old crest, as done by Ajax today pic.twitter.com/M9WLvwHucM
— Footy Headlines (@Footy_Headlines) November 17, 2024
There are several teams whose fans want their teams to bring back old logos. The most popular one is surely Juventus, who switched to a minimalist J in 2017. Fans of many other teams like Bayern, Inter, and Liverpool (who made its Liverbird the main logo for kits and digital) want old logos back, but the desire for the old logo is not bigger for any team than Juventus.
It is easy to understand why fans want the old logos back, especially in the case of Juventus - the J crest has nothing in common with the club's old crests.
Research Suggests That Minimalist Logos "Destroy" Brands
Companies like Intel became much less recognizable after their rebrands.
Indeed, new research highlights a potential downside of "debranding." By stripping logos of their unique, recognizable elements, brands risk losing the emotional connection and distinctiveness that set them apart. This trend, while practical, might inadvertently turn memorable brands into indistinguishable "blands," raising questions about the cost of simplicity in design.
For example, the famous brand Burberry brought back the knight from its previous logo design in 2023, leaving minimalism behind for identity. It is similar to the move made by Ajax 18 months later.
The Hatred of Recolored Logos
Another trend that has become more and more unpopular with die-hard supporters is the recoloring of the club's badge. Monochrome badges are the most hated element of kits for many fans currently. The desire to stop the recoloring ultimately resulted in new kit rules for Benfica that prevent badge recoloring, which other fans might inspire to implement similar rules.
Footy Headlines has no information on whether other popular teams plan to bring back their old logos. However, it seems probable that Ajax won't be the last.
Should other clubs return to their previous version of their badges? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/0k7vpXiWJ8
— Emilio Sansolini (@EmilioSansolini) November 17, 2024
Should other teams follow suit and return to old logos? Let us know in the comments below.
African Nations Arrive at 2026 World Cup in Striking Custom Outfits
African nations have made a strong sartorial statement upon their arrival at the 2026 World Cup. The squads of DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal landed in North America wearing custom outfits that highlight their cultural identity and heritage through bold patterns and sharp tailoring.
DR Congo, making their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, garnered significant attention for their arrival attire in Houston. The team stepped off the plane in custom black suits accented with distinctive leopard-print sashes and crystal cheetah brooches. This look, complete with luxury bags, pays homage to the nation's Les Leopards moniker and their renowned fashion culture.
Similarly, Ivory Coast and Senegal embraced their roots with their travel wear. The teams incorporated vibrant traditional patterns and intricate details, such as elephant embroidery, into their modern tailored outfits. These arrivals have turned the standard team travel gear into a celebration of African pride and culture ahead of the tournament.
DR Congo Arrive at 2026 World Cup in Custom Leopard-Themed Suits
The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team has arrived in Houston, USA, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making a striking impression with their arrival attire. Foregoing the traditional tracksuits, the squad stepped off the plane wearing custom-tailored suits heavily featuring leopard prints and animal motifs. The outfits serve as a bold representation of the team's Leopards nickname and highlight their cultural identity on football's biggest stage.
The bespoke arrival outfits incorporate various elements of African heritage, including leopard prints, cheetah brooches, and elephant embroidery. In DRC culture, the leopard is a historic symbol of strength, power, and resilience. The team's sartorial choice has drawn praise for its unique aesthetic, standing out alongside the arrival outfits of other African nations like Ivory Coast and Senegal.
DR Congo will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Portugal on June 17. While their on-pitch kits will be closely watched, their pre-tournament fashion has already set a high standard, showcasing a strong sense of national pride and individuality before a ball has even been kicked.
2026 World Cup Gold Sleeve Badge For Former Winners Revealed
Following the release of the official squad portraits for the Argentina national team, the special gold sleeve badge for the 2026 World Cup has been revealed. The exclusive gold-themed patch will be positioned on the right sleeve, visually setting past champions apart from the rest of the 48 competing teams. This new patch system introduced by FIFA highlights tournament heritage without altering federation crests, giving a clear distinction to historic winners such as Argentina, Brazil, Germany, and France.
The badge features the 2026 World Cup logo rendered in a striking metallic gold finish. For reigning champions Argentina, the new gold sleeve detail will complement the golden 2022 FIFA World Cup champions badge located on the center of their chest, adding an extra layer of prestige to their kit for the upcoming tournament.
Nike Cryoshot Tiempo Legend R10 'Ronaldinho' Shoes Leaked
Nike will launch a special signature edition of the new Cryo Shot Tiempo Legend for Ronaldinho for the 2026-27 season. Thanks to sneaker source @sneakermarketro and @vladieboi, we can share official images of the Nike Cryo Shot Tiempo Legend R10 'Ronaldinho' boots, which are scheduled to drop in the summer of 2026.
The Nike Cryo Shot Tiempo Legend R10 'Ronaldinho' features a white and metallic gold colorway, directly inspired by the 'Touch of Gold' Tiempo boots originally worn by the Brazilian player. The cleats sport a white quilted upper complemented by metallic gold accents on the Swoosh, stitching, and the classic fold-over tongues, which feature the signature R and 10 branding. This modern Cryo Shot edition blends the heritage design with a new clear-coated sole unit that encases the studs.
The Nike Cryo Shot Tiempo Legend R10 'Ronaldinho' soccer cleats will be available to purchase in Summer 2026.
Emiliano Martinez to Wear Special Adidas Predator Gloves for 2026 World Cup
Emiliano "Dibu" Martinez will sport a special edition of the Adidas Predator goalkeeper gloves during the 2026 World Cup. The new gloves have been specifically designed to match the colors of Argentina's home goalkeeper kit for the tournament.
The official Argentina national team account shared images of the goalkeepers in training, highlighting the special Adidas Predator gloves. The design perfectly complements the Argentina 2026 home goalkeeper jersey, creating a unified look for the reigning World Cup champion.
Argentina 2026 World Cup Squad Portrait Photos Released
The official squad portraits for the Argentina national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup have been released, giving us a first real look at the special gold sleeve badge. As previously reported, former World Cup-winning nations will wear an exclusive gold-themed patch on their right sleeve during the tournament, setting them apart from the rest of the competing teams.
In addition to the striking gold sleeve patch, the Adidas home kit features the golden 2022 FIFA World Cup champions badge prominently on the center of the chest.
England 2026 World Cup Match Boots Stolen in Kansas City
The England national team has suffered a major setback ahead of their 2026 World Cup campaign, as the match boots of several top players were stolen from a transport van. The incident, first reported by Craig Hope and Jack Gaughan for the Daily Mail, has left the squad's staff scrambling to secure replacements before their first training session in Kansas City on Saturday.
In addition to the players' custom footwear, the thieves also made off with nearly all of the team's training footballs, reportedly leaving just a single ball behind. The logistical nightmare means kit managers and equipment staff must now work rapidly with their respective brands to supply the squad with new boots in time for their opening matches of the tournament.
Awesome: Leeds United 26-27 Home Kit Concept Based on Leaked Bayern München Away Kit
A stylish Leeds United home kit concept has caught the attention of fans online. Created by Leeds supporter and graphic designer @ZK1919, the concept directly adapts the design of an Adidas FC Bayern away kit, transforming it into a Leeds home shirt.
The concept features the classic Adidas Trefoil logo and integrates Leeds United's front-of-shirt sponsor, Red Bull. To match the club's traditional colors, the designer swapped the original red accents for yellow and outlined the Red Bull logo in blue. The concept also sparked discussions among supporters regarding the exact shade of yellow, the choice of the club badge, and the potential constraints of Red Bull's corporate branding rules on future kits.
While purely a fan-made design and not an official leak for the 2026-27 season, it highlights the potential of an Adidas Trefoil Leeds kit. The actual Leeds United 26-27 home kit has been very unpopular ahead of its release.