Zach Hoo-Lochrie
The 23/24 season’s European third kit releases have been completed with the recent launches of Athens Kallithea and Roma’s third shirts. These two shirts have made it to the top of our list of the Top 10 Third Shirts of the Season, which is dominated by Kappa and adidas. Home shirts are often tame and constrained by tradition, but our recent Top 10 Home Shirts list proved that there are still some great designs out there. Away shirts allow for more adventurous designs, as evidenced by our Top 10 list in that category. However, it is the third shirts where the shackles really come off and creativity flourishes. Compiling a Top 10 Third Shirts list is always a tough task, and this year was no different, with several outstanding designs missing out. But one thing is clear – Kappa and adidas are leading the way in this category.
Starting off our list at number 10 is Ajax. While it may not be up to the standard of their previous third shirt, this shirt is still a strong addition to the Ajax x adidas catalogue. At number 9, we have Venezia. This kit set for the 23/24 season is interesting because they have introduced a sponsor, which is a departure from their previous presentations. However, based on the launch presentation, this unique design deserves its place on the list. Coming in at number 8 is PSG. The collaboration between PSG and Jordan continues to deliver, and this time they have used the iconic elephant print on a football jersey for the first time. Number 7 goes to Manchester City, whose third shirt pays tribute to the team’s traditional colors with electric bolts on a black base, symbolizing their sheer force. Napoli takes the number 6 spot with a sleek and elegant third shirt that complements their home and away shirts perfectly.
Breaking into the top 5 is Fiorentina, whose Kappa-designed third shirt features the lily as a running theme. It may not make logical sense to have a purple home and third shirt, but when they look this good, logic can be disregarded. Monaco, benefiting from Kappa’s elevated output, secures the number 4 spot with a shirt that balances the club’s iconic diagonal with its geographical location. Athens Kallithea takes the number 3 position. A spiritual contemporary of Venezia, their 23/24 kit set may have even surpassed that of the Italian side, with their third shirt being the pinnacle of the collection.
Manchester United claims the second spot on our list with a third shirt that hits all the right notes. While their away shirt divided opinions, the third shirt’s simplistic and clean presentation ensures all eyes are on the club crest. And finally, at number 1, we have Roma. The partnership between Roma and adidas has produced three beautiful kits that embody the essence of the city. The third shirt is possibly the best of the three.
Honorable mentions go to Arsenal, Lazio, Genoa, Inter, and Leeds.
