Football shirts are not just pieces of fabric; they represent the identity and pride of a nation. Mexico, known for its rich football culture, has a long history of iconic football shirts. The national team, known as El Tri, has a storied history and has produced some of the greatest players in the game.
But one of the most iconic aspects of Mexican football has always been the team's distinctive and eye-catching shirts. In this article, we take a look at our top 10 Mexico kits, ranked based on their design and the traditions they represent. Get ready for a fiesta of colours, patterns, and history!
1995 Away
We begin with ABA Sports first design for El Tri, manufacturer logos throughout the material with a solid colour only split by an 'M' shaped brush stroke through the centre. A typically bold Mexican strip but the team at ABA Sport were just warming up.
1997 Third
ABA Sport are starting to cook. This Third shirt takes the sleek look of the home strip and dazzles the viewer with a switch to striking red where originally there was black. The kit was only worn once when Mexico hosted Ecuador in a friendly at the Azteca stadium in February 1997. Jared Borgetti made his senior debut for El Tri, scoring one of the three goals in a 3-1 victory. A youthful Rafael Márquez was also on the team sheet that day.
2010 Away
Worn during the opening game of the 2010 World Cup against South Africa, Tshabalala opened the scoring before Raphael Márquez equalised late on to break the hearts of Bafana Bafana fans. The first of many black colourways introduced by Adidas who took over manufacturing rights of Mexico kits in 2007. This away shirt features bright red and green notes that pop on the black template.
1999 Home
The one and only year Mexican brand Garcis were responsible for creating the national teams shirts, and they did not disappoint. A blown up version of the FMF crest emblazoned across the front of the shirt in the classic green colourway. They wore this shirt during the 1999 Confederations Cup where they defeated Brazil 4-3 in the final to lift the trophy on home soil.
2014 Home
This shirt was worn during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Mexico were unbeaten in the group stages defeating Cameroon, Croatia and also drawing with hosts Brazil after some outstanding heroics from legendary shot stopper Guillermo Ochoa. El Tri were then knocked out by the Netherlands after a very late penalty decision involving Arjen Robben, the spot kick was converted in the 94th minute and the kit of the tournament would go no further.
2022 Away
This modern classic shares it's influence with that Club America GK shirt from 2008 which was also redesigned for the sides 2020/21 Third kit. This shirt was infamously known as the nicest 2022 World Cup shirt not to be worn during the tournament after the national team were unable to make it out of the group stages. They lost 2-0 to eventual world champions Argentina, Lionel Messi scored the opener in Qatar.
1998 Away
This away shirt was the last that ABA Sport would design and they went out in style. Using the same template as the home shirt but switching out the famous green for bright white with red and green detailing. Worn during the legendary 1998 World Cup in two feisty group stage games where 3 red cards were brandished, two of those to Mexican's Pavel Pardo and Ramon Ramirez.
Shop the 1998 Mexico Hernandez Re-issue away shirt here
1994 Goalkeeper
One of the many iconic Jorge Campos designed keeper shirts. It was hard to pick a favourite from this era, but we've gone with this one manufactured by Umbro. Not only was Campos known for his crazy designs, he was also known for his crazy runs, often rolling the ball out to himself to burst through midfield. He was so adventurous he had a few stints at centre forward throughout his career.
1994 Home
Early 90s Umbro never disappoints and their offering for the Mexican national team was no different. The unique Aztec pattern throughout the material and stitched Mexico decal to the collar are highlights along with the stitch type Umbro logo and red seams to sleeves and shoulders. Worn during the 1994 World Cup by legend Hugo Sanchez, Mexico reached the round of 16 where they were beaten by Bulgaria on penalties.
1998 Home
This shirt is the holy grail of football shirts, iconic in everyway and coveted by all true collectors of football shirts. Made famous at the 1998 World Cup in France, worn by legends Luis Hernandez, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Jorge Campos. Mexico failed to go beyond the last 16 in a recurring trend in El Tri's history, though they went out in style this time, scoring 8 goals in 4 games, caveated with 3 red cards. You will see many imitations of this beauty online, only a few will have originals and they will not cost £30 quid...
We have managed to get our hands on the stunning official Mexico '98 reissue shirts. They have been officially produced by Mexican sportswear brand ABA Sport and are made to the exact specification of the original shirt. They have been created exclusively for Cult Kits, you won't find these anywhere else!
Shop our Mexico ABA Sport Re-Issue Shirts here.