Like many other football fans around the world, I can spend hours upon hours browsing aimlessly through Classic Football Shirt websites. There’s something about looking at an old kit from the early 2000’s that can just take me back to a specific match, goal or moment in life which may have been long forgotten. Meanwhile, I enjoy looking through the wild designs that have somehow made it to production, the bold colours and pieces from around the globe. Although admittedly my personal collection of kits from the past doesn’t extend past my own club and holiday souvenirs, I am fully in support of the trend towards using “retro” shirts as a fashionable item, and for allowing me to spend far too much time in my own little world reminiscing on historic football games, long may the businesses continue.

So to celebrate some of my favourite football shirts that I have come across over the years, I’ve decided to put together my top 5 from around the leagues, this time, looking into the Spanish top-flight, La Liga. Admittedly, this is personal opinions and not all tastes are the same, however I believe these are widely recognised as some of the greatest shirts from La Liga. Additionally, as will become clear looking through these, I have a personal fondness towards a collared shirt, fairly simple designs and more ‘traditional’ colours to the individual club.

Enjoy.

FC Barcelona 2005-2006 (H)

First up is just a personal footballing highlight in the 2005-2006 Barcelona jersey. This has so many fond memories for myself, as I had hit the point in my youth where football had become my life, and in the early days of social media and YouTube, compilations of this Barcelona side formed a foundation of my childhood and takes me back. Around 2004, I had begun watching football weekly and getting into any football content I could get my hands on. This included watching the introduction of a young Argentinian teenager in the form of Lionel Messi, a Brazilian superstar who honestly appeared like he could do anything he wanted with a football in Ronaldinho, and so many other legends that just drip off the tongue; Eto’o, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Valdes, Motta, Deco, Larsson and Van Bommel to name a few. This is the club that opened my eyes to European football and football around the world with the South-American superstars who had appeared to be performing magic each and every week.

Admittedly, this is a purely personal choice down primarily to positive memories as opposed to being one of the nicest kits, it’s not even Barcelona’s best actual kit, but it’s the first shirt I picture when I think of La Liga and Barcelona, and it has shaped my passion for football significantly. The shirt itself is decent, as it maintains the traditional Barcelona stripe and colour, whilst being a memorable shirt for football fans around the world. It’s simple in it’s design, and is a true example of the players making the shirt legendary. It’s just a beauty, and one I must add to my collection ASAP.

Real Madrid 1994-1996 (H)

Real Madrid just have to have some appearance on this list, as they are the ultimate definition of Spanish football, and their legacy in La Liga alongside European success means it would make a mockery of the list not to include a Real shirt.

The one I’ve gone for, is the Kelme produced classic form 94-96. It is a tough choice in choosing the best Real shirt, as they are always quite simple and traditional, being Los Blancos and keeping their legendary white, clean-cut image. This one from the mid-90s is my pick of the bunch for a few reasons, firstly it’s from a great season in which they picked up their 26th title in a season which included a historic 5-0 victory over rivals Barcelona in the midst of a run of 23 games in which they only suffered 1 defeat. Meanwhile, in this season, a 17 year old Raúl flew through the clubs’ C and B teams straight through to the first-team, in which he made 28 appearances and bagged 9 goals, the start of what would become a great career. We won’t talk too much about 1995-96 as this wasn’t so great, but the kit still stands. The second reason for this selection is that it has the requirements that I look for, in a collared design, it’s as simple as that really. However, the design of this shirt is even more unique, as it possesses a sleeve design of paw-prints, part of the production process I am assuming. This surprising inclusion makes it just a fantastic and unique piece of Madrid’s fantastic history in my opinion.

Real Betis 1994-1995 (H)

So many sides in La Liga have a red, white and blue colour scheme that is traditional to their side, which is one of the many reasons why Real Betis have always stood out to me. Their green and white stripes are bold and distinct amongst the La Liga crowd, and have always created that affinity with myself and the club.

My favourite of the their shirts, is this beauty from 1994-95, a year in which the club finished in an impressive 3rd spot ahead of Barcelona and local rivals Sevilla. This was an impressive campaign after being promoted the year prior. The shirt itself is simply superb, as it maintains their traditional colours whilst being bold. The collar and Umbro manufacturing just tops this one off for me, as it simply has the classic retro vibe whilst being a quality shirt. I do love the difference in Real Betis’ kit and this one is the finest that I am yet to see.

Atletico Madrid 1995-1996 (H)

The 1995-96 season was superb for Atlético Madrid, as they bagged a league-cup double which was a fantastic campaign and a great side, involving the now-manager Diego Simeone, along with the likes of Penev, Molina and of course Quinton Fortune in his pre-Manchester United days. In what was a fantastic result in the domestic competitions, the side also looked bloody marvellous while doing it.

The Atlético Madrid shirts are often quite traditional and simplistic, however this one again had me from the moment I started researching this list. Looking at that side, with their long-sleeved collared traditional jerseys, it literally hits the mark for me, and it is a beauty. It’s got the history, got the style and is one of La Liga’s finest.

FC Barcelona 1984-1989 (H)

The 2nd Barcelona entry on this list, and this one is in my opinion, the legendary clubs’ most stylish and appealing physical shirt. The first entry on the list was purely personal emotion, while this collared delight is just sublime for so many reasons.

Mainly, it ticks off every single box I would ask for, the traditional colours, simplistic design and collared finish. I don’t think I have ever seen a long-sleeved version of this one (I may have to go off and google that), and if there is any out there, I would pay almost anything to own it and wear it every day of my life.

Secondly, and this links back to my first entry, is the significance of this shirt in footballing history. It was worn by such legends as Maradona and Gary Lineker, 2 of the most legendary players to have stepped foot on the pitch, let alone at the Camp Nou. The away strip to match is equally as magnificent, however the traditional red and blue stripes just strike fear into any opposition.