Football Fashion’s Top 10 Soccer Jerseys of 2009

We’ve seen some great soccer jersey releases in 2009. The tight-fitting retro look made a strong comeback as the oversized kits of the early to mid 2000s made way for team wear that more closely reflected today’s contemporary fashion. In celebration of the year that was in the world of footie kits, we’ve made a list of our favorite jerseys released in 2009 and checked it twice. Here are the Football Fashion Top 10 Soccer Jerseys of 2009.

1. Paris Saint-Germain 09/10 Nike Home Jersey

A classic retro fit shirt that would look as good in the 1970s or 80s as it does today. Simplicity reigns supreme in 2009 with a PSG home kit that is a must have for the serious shirt collector.

2. Manchester City 09/10 Umbro Third Jersey

Inspired by the Citizens’ glory days of the 1970s, Umbro has reinvented an iconic shirt for 2009. Although it is rarely used by the megarich club, it’s the English Premier League’s best shirt of 2009.

3. Ivory Coast Puma 10/11 Away Jersey

Expect to see this West African diamond as Didier Drogba and company make a run for continental glory at the Africa Cup of Nations starting January 10th. The use of Les Elephant’s colors in a hooped scheme on one of Puma’s new designs is magnificent.

4. Mexico adidas World Cup 2010 Home Jersey

This is our favorite adidas World Cup 2010 kit. The Aztec inspired design and clever use of El Tri’s colors harkens images of Mexico’s finest hour in the 1986 World Cup.

5. Real Madrid adidas 09/10 UEFA Champions League Away Jersey

The adidas template used for this Real Madrid jersey is probably the firm’s most used design of 2009/10. However, throw in Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu inspired crest on the right breast and gold adidas stripes and you’ve got a winner.

6. Sunderland AFC 09/10 Umbro Home Jersey

Umbro had a banner year for shirt designs. The Black Cats’ home kit colors and stripes were made for this retro design. The Sunderland AFC imprint on the inner neck area is a true work of art.

7. Portsmouth F.C. Canterbury 09/10 Home Jersey

They may be at the bottom of the English Premier League and seemingly destined for relegation but Pompey’s 09/10 home shirt ranks among the best of 2009. The snug-fitting jersey featuring a well-placed gold accents stands out in the pitch, pub or club.

8. Liverpool FC adidas 09/10 European Away Jersey

Originally intended for use in the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool’s 09/10 adidas European away kit has been relegated to the humble surroundings of the Europa League. The red on white combination and slit neckline design makes for the best kit in the competition however.

9. Italy Puma 2009 Confederations Cup Jersey

Inspired by the Azzuri’s 1930s home shirt and doomed to a short life courtesyof  Italy’s less than spectacular 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup run, this shirt is soon to be a collector’s item. It’s already difficult to find.

10. River Plate adidas 09/10 Third Kit Jersey

An adidas gem rarely seen outside of Argentina, the 09/10 River Plate third kit rounds out our Best of 2009 list. The grey color combination and use of lines in River Plate’s colors on one of adidas’ 2009/10 templates results in our favoritie South American kit of 2009.

Best Kit Launch of 2009
The Vélez Sársfield 2009/10 Penalty Kit Extravaganza!

Corinthians Paulista Nike 2009/10 Roberto Carlos Kits / Camisas

Brazil and Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos has reportedly signed with Brazilian Série A Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. In doing so, he’ll be reunited with former Real Madrid and Brazil teammate Ronaldo.

The 36-year old Carlos will be officially presented the Corinthians Parque Sao Jorge in Sao Paulo on January 4th, 2010 and will wear his favoured number 6.

To not miss the commercial opportunity provied by their second mammoth signing of recent times  (Ronaldo joined them last December), Corinthians are already selling Roberto Carlos Corinthians Paulista Nike 2009/10 home, away and third kits.

Brazil 2002 lives!

Check out our Kits and Jerseys section for more new kits.

FC Barcelona FIFA World Club Cup 2009 Home and Away Kits / Camisetas

UEFA Champions League and Spanish La Liga champions FC Barcelona will wear modified versions of their home and away kits for while participating in the FIFA World Club Cup 2009.

The tournament kits are more or less identical to Barca’s 2009/10 Nike home and away kits but include the following:

- The inscription FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2009 Zayed Sports City Abu Dhabi in the mid chest area
- A patch with the tournament’s logo and the text UAE 2009. FIFA Club World Cup on the right sleeve.

FC Barcelona kicks off their FIFA World Club Cup campaign against CONCACAF champions Atlante Futbol Club tomorrow in Abu Dhabi. Barca will wear their home shirts for the match while Atlante will don their blue change strip.

Check out our Kits and Jerseys section for more new kits.

Kaizer Chiefs Nike 40th Anniversary Special Edition 2009/10 Kit

Kaizer Chiefs are a South African football club, founded 7 January 1970 in Soweto, Johannesburg. The team is nicknamed Amakhosi which means “lords” or “chiefs” in Zulu. They currently campaign in the top tier of South African football – the ABSA Premiership.

Earlier today, Nike South Africa unveiled the Kaizer Chiefs 40th anniversary special edition team 2009/10 football kit.

According to the team’s website, the kit

draws inspiration from the glorious past of the black and gold club.

The special edition kit will be worn by the team at their next home game against Bloemfontein Celtic at Loftus Stadium, in Pretoria on Saturday.

Chiefs will continue to wear the kit during all home games in the 2009/2010 season.

The jersey recalls that worn by the Amakhosi 40 years ago, in that it is predominantly black and featuring the iconic Chiefs gold on the rib collar, sleeves and cuffs.

…The jersey is embroidered with the Nike Swoosh design trademark and the official Kaizer Chiefs crest. The special embroidery of “1970 – 2010 40th Anniversary” is featured under the team crest, calling out the glory years of the past.

Other significant features of the team jersey include the South African flag on the inside of the back neckline and a “1970 – 2010 40th Anniversary” label on the side-seam. The new jersey, and replica supporter’s jersey will be available in leading retail from Thursday along with a full range of Kaizer Chiefs 40th anniversary special edition fan-wear and accessories.

Check out our Kits and Jerseys section for more new kits.

USA Nike World Cup 2010 Home Jersey / Kit Leak

This is a leak of the USA Nike World Cup 2010 home kit that has made its way to the internet. If real, the new U.S. National Team jersey features a diagonal stripe that may be inspired by that worn by the 1950 team that famously upset a heavily favored England 1-0 in the World Cup. Kit manufacturer Nike has been relying on retro designs off late.

Check out our Kits and Jerseys section for more brand new kits.

Thanks for Abe R. for the tipoff.