We at The Gentleman Ultra are fascinated by football shirts, especially Italian football shirts. Many of the greatest jerseys ever made originated from Serie A.
Next in our series is TGU stalwart Luca Hodges-Ramon, who has picked his top five shirts from the annals of calcio.
5. Palermo Home 2009/10
Palermo shirts usually feature in any ‘greatest shirts of all time’ list, as the Sicilian outfit has a history of creating stunning pieces of material. This edition, in 2009/10, is no different. It’s made all the more iconic considering who the club had in their squad at the time: Edinson Cavani, Fabrizio Miccoli, Antonio Nocerino, Javier Pastore and Salvatore Sirigu.
The club narrowly lost out on a remarkable Champions League journey. This finished fifth, only two points behind Sampdoria.
Luca: There are two things that spring to mind when I think of Palermo: Pink and Fabrizio Miccoli. During the 2009-10 Serie A season, the club equalled their best season in the topflight with a fifth-place finish. They were Calcio’s hipsters, combining the South American artistry of Javier Pastore and Edinson Cavani, with the southern flair of Fabrizio Miccoli. In many ways I Rosaneri were a perfect reflection of their city’s cultural and creative diversity. And all in a Lotto strip which has become synonymous with the glory days of Palermo Calcio.
Modelled by: Edinson Cavani, Fabrizio Miccoli, Javier Pastore
Palermo in 2009/10: Serie A, 5th. Coppa Italia, Round of 16.
4. Lazio Home 1999/00
The pinnacle of Lazio’s halcyon days in Serie A. After losing the Scudetto to Milan the previous season, Sergio Cragnotti fuelled another spending spree in the summer of 1999, bringing in the likes of Juan Seba Veron and Diego Simeone.
The result was their first title since 1974, in addition to winning the Coppa Italia. For Cragnotti it was target achieved, and the club was never as good again, but their shirt from that season also attained legendary status.
Luca: At the dawn of the new millennium, Lazio were taking Italian football by storm. Sven Goran Eriksen’s men secured a famous domestic double during the 1999/00 season, the likes of Alessandro Nesta, Juan Sebastian Veron, Pavel Nedved, Diego Simeone and Marcelo Salas conquering all before them. Their strip that year, manufactured by Puma and sponsored by the Italian food conglomerate Cirio, has become a symbol of that dominance – so much so that the jersey chosen to celebrate the club’s 120th Birthday paid homage to that memorable Scudetto strip.
Modelled by: Alessandro Nesta, Juan Seba Veron, Marcelo Salas.
Lazio in 1999/00: Serie A, 1st. Coppa Italia, winners. Champions League, quarter finals.
3. Venezia Home 2015-2020
Venezia haven’t achieved much on the field, as they’ve languished in the quagmire of the lower echelons of the Italian game. However off it, their kits over the last half decade have become the standout feature of the club.
Luca: Orange, black and green. It is far from a classic colour combination yet it is fitting that these shades complement each other perfectly when worn by the players of Venezia Calcio. Venice is a city like no other and indeed since it’s football club teamed up with sports manufacturing giant Nike, the Arancioneroverdi have consistently produced eye-catching kits – from orange, black and green hoops to embroidering the city’s emblem (The Lion of Saint Mark) into the fabric of the shirt. The club may have spent 30 years away from Italy’s topflight, but these beautiful designs have helped rekindle memories of yesteryear when Filippo Maniero and Alvaro Recoba lined up for Venezia in Serie A.
Modelled by: Cristian Molinaro, Harvey St. Clair, Samuele Longo
Venezia in 2019/20: Serie B, 11th. Coppa Italia, third round.
2. Milan 1992/93
The Rossoneri didn’t produce many bad shirts in the 1990s, and this one is usually high up on any collectors’ list. This was during a time when many wondered whether anyone would be able to dethrone Milan at the top of Serie A. 1992/93 saw them win their second consecutive Scudetto of a three-in-a-row, and they showed no signs of slowing down.
Luca: This kit and this team represent my earliest memories of Italian football. My father had bought a video tape celebrating Milan’s Scudetto triumph during the 1992/93 season and it became an integral part of my footballing education. This was Milan in their pomp. Baresi, Rijkaard, Gullit and Van Basten inspiring the club to dizzying heights in their famous Red and Black colours. The kit itself was also vintage. A minimalist design accompanied by an Adidas Originals logo ensuring the club, like the city, was as trendy as it was powerful.
Modelled by: Franco Baresi, Frank Rijkaard, Marco Van Basten.
Milan in 1992/93: Serie A, winners. Coppa Italia, semi finals. Champions League, finalists.
1. Sampdoria Home 1991/92
What can be said about this beauty? The greatest shirt of all time?
Luca: La maglia più bella del mondo. There is not much more to say when it comes to Sampdoria and football kits. But during the 1990-91 season, the blucerchiati not only boasted the most beautiful shirt in the world, but also the best team in Italy. Under the stewardship of owner Paolo Mantovani and guided by legendary coach Vujadin Boskov, Samp won their first and only Serie A title. The images of Mancini, Vialli, Vierchowod and Lombardo celebrating this historic Scudetto at the Marassi remain iconic – as does the shirt they triumphed in.
Modelled by: Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, Cerezo.
Sampdoria in 1991/92: Serie A, 7th. Coppa Italia, semi final. European Cup, finalists.