Can you believe that it’s been 21 years since Brazil last won the World Cup? It was way back in 2002 that Ronaldo and co secured the Pentacampeao – but despite the long wait to add a sixth star to their iconic yellow jersey, futebol remains as much a part of the nation’s fabric as it ever has.
There is maybe no country on earth that worships football quite like the Brazilians.
It was on 20 September 1914 that the Seleção took to the pitch for their first ever international match, against rivals Argentina. Since then, Brazil has been the pre-eminent force in world football, winning trophies and hearts wherever they play.
While Brazil's seemingly natural instinct for dazzling football has driven the country’s team to success, part of their appeal is also in the aesthetic of their kits. Few international jerseys are as instantly recognisable as theirs.
So we’ve looked back through the archives to pick out eight of our favourites – including iconic shirts from the Umbro days of the early 90s to the jerseys worn after Nike won the contract in 1997.
10th - 2023 - Special Shirt
Hopefully you noticed Brazil wearing black recently in their 4-1 friendly victory over Guinea. So why did Seleção don the change colours? The team played the entire first-half in the special edition blackout shirt before switching to their traditional yellow at half time as part of a ‘shirts against racism’ campaign, following the abuse of Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid’s match against Valencia in May.
The 22-year-old was handed a red card for violent conduct during the game at the Mestalla after becoming enraged and pointing out supporters taunting him from the stands.
You may recall Brazil produced a black shirt in 2013 but it was, tragically, never worn.
9th - 1996 - Goalkeeper Shirt
Brazil may be better known for their attacking talents but they’ve had some decent keepers, too – and their GK jerseys have been sensational. Taffarel’s shirts were of course legendary – but we are a sucker for this rare 1996 masterpiece with its unique design and block graphics. Umbro goalkeeper shirts from the 90s are always on the money and this is no exception.
8th - 1991- Brazil Home
For 13 years – between 1979 and 1992 – Brazil wore shirts constructed by domestic brand Topper. But in 1992, Seleção switched to a British manufacturer. The first Umbro Brazil shirt of this new era was an absolute beauty – a fairly minimalist design, complete with sleeve graphic and button down collar. In later years, the Umbro-Brazil relationship would deliver some slightly more radical designs complete with trademark Umbro patterns (see further down the list!).
7th - 1998- Brazil Goalkeeper
We know what you’re thinking: another goalkeeper shirt, what are you doing? Bear with us. Firstly, look at it. Secondly, THIS IS A RARE FOOTBALL SHIRT. Have we got your attention now? This was the first time orange made its way on to the colour palette, making this an especially unusual Brazil shirt. Definitely one for the collectors.
6th - 1991 - Brazil Away Shirt
Ever wondered why Brazil’s change colours are always blue? When Brazil met Sweden in the final of the 1958 World Cup, it was the home team (Sweden) who were allowed to wear their traditional yellow meaning Brazil had to find change colours. They settled on blue - the colour of the mantle of Our Lady of Aparecida, the Catholic patron saint of Brazil.
We love the 1991 version – produced by Umbro and worn by the likes of Romario, Bebeto, Careca and Dunga.
5th - 2004 Home Shirt
This one has grown on us. The Total 90 template is one that has historically divided shirt fans, however recently opinions have started to shift in a more positive direction. These days if we get one of these in stock, you better move fast or it’s gone! Big Ron with the big circular number print on the front… yes please.
4th - 2019 - Brazil Away
Ok, we are at the business end. And it’s another non-yellow or blue shirt – so why the hell did Brazil issue a (very lovely) white kit in 2019? Well, a century earlier, Brazil won the first of its nine Copa Americas in white and used the colour as a primary home kit up until 1954. So what happened in 1954?
The Maracanazo, that’s what happened. Brazil only needed to avoid defeat to Uruguay in Rio to win the 1954 World Cup (then a round-robin tournament) – and the heavily-fancied hosts looked to be cruising to the title when they went 1-0 up. The visitors fought back to win 2-1 though – and so devastated was this football-obsessed nation that the white shirts were jettisoned in favour of yellow.
3rd - 1986 Home Shirt
The list needs an old school entry and this one ticks all the boxes. Classic v-neck collar, slim fit and retro badge. Throw in a long haired, beard clad, headband wearing Socrates and you have a fit to be reckoned with. Brazilian brand Topper did it right.
2nd - 1998- Brazil Home
Despite being worn by the losers in a World Cup final, this shirt has stood the test of time – and rightly so. But it’s not just the look of the jersey that has ensured its enduring appeal – it’s that iconic image of a 21-year-old Ronaldo, Mercurials hanging around his neck, waiting to collect his runner’s up medal on 12 July 1998 that really sets this apart.
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1st - 1994 - Brazil Home
Here we go then. Number one. Número um. So why does this rank higher than the rest? Well, there’s Romario and his iconic number 11 jersey. Then there’s Bebeto, Cafu, Leonardo, Rai. Oh – and they happened to snare the 1994 World Cup in the USA wearing this Umbro beauty – you might recall the match, a lad called Roberto Baggio smashed a penalty over the bar to hand Brazil their first World Cup since 1970. Ring any bells?
Their victory at USA 94 was especially poignant given that the team dedicated their triumph to football-loving Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, who died just weeks before the tournament began.
It also helps that this is peak Umbro. The repeating badge graphic is a glorious, over-the-top, visual assault. Magnífico.
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