In the first of a new series looking back through the archive, we shine the spotlight on Adidas at the 2018 World Cup, as they embraced the retro designs of the past.
Belgium
The 1984 European championships have proved a fertile ground for kit designers looking for inspiration. France, most notably, have directly referenced the iconic strip Platini and co wore on their way to winning the lot not once but twice.First in 1998, to great effect as they lifted the World Cup on home soil and for this years release. I’m sure they will be hoping it will be third time lucky for the design when France eventually compete in the 2020 Euros. Though while Frances midfield, dubbed le carré magique (magic square), undeniably played the silkiest football of the tournament it’s hard to argue that anybody looked better than the Belgians. The classic diamond design across the chest looked so good it was almost worth crashing out in the group stages. Luckily the Belgians fared far better in Russia, eventually finishing in a respectable third place.
Buy Belgium International shirts here.
Germany
The home strip that Germany wore from 1988-1990 is perhaps the most iconic in all of football history. The diagonal zig zagging band of red, black and yellow, like France’s strip of 84, was made all the more iconic by the success of those who wore. The image of Matthaus lifting the World Cup high above the iconic stripes is undoubtably an enduring memory. For 2018 the design received a more minimalist, near monochromatic update. Much like the performances on the pitch, the overall effect was a little more underwhelming than that of 1990, though it was undeniably a nice kit in its own right.
Truth be told the design never really stood a chance of being remembered fondly as the reigning world champions crashed out without a win.
Buy Germany International shirts here.
Spain
Perhaps the most direct of all nods to the past this design leaned heavily on the classic of 1994, worn as Guardiola and co made it as far as the quarter finals before an agonising loss to Italy sent them home. The vertical hexagonal pattern of the 90’s design was given a slightly more abstract update for 2018 but all in all the classic design was retained.
Buy the 2018 home and away shirt, as well as other Spain International shirts here.
Mexico
While it’s true that the 2018 design bears little resemblance to the one worn by the Mexicans in 1994 the overall spirit of that tournament runs through it. Classic kit aficionados will have immediately recognised the three horizontal bars to the side of the garment as bearing a striking resemblance to those that featured on the designs worn by Bulgaria’s iconic side as well those worn by Hagi’s Romania, the Swedish contingent and the Norwegians. A classic design given an elegant modern update and complimented by the iconic green of Mexico. Whats not to love.
Buy Mexico International shirts here.
Colombia
A straight shooting throwback to the Valderrama era classic. Honestly the main take away from all of this is that a) I wish shirts were baggier b) I miss El Pibe. Perhaps not the greatest of the remakes we saw on show at the 2018 World Cup but a solid effort nonetheless.
Buy Colombia International shirts here.