Kevin Henning picks out the ten best home kits that have adorned a countries hopes…

If something looks good on Voller it deserves to be in any list.

Germany 1990
A new unified Germany began officially in October 1990 although die Wende (the turning point) had come a year earlier with the removal of Hungary’s border fence which opened up a large hole in the Iron Curtain.
The German national team were to be decked out in possibly the most patriotic national kit up until that point. A simple white shirt with the tricolour of black, red and yellow emblazoned across it. The shirt symbolized a new, modern Germany whose people were starting to learn to be proud of their country again. During the World Cup of 1990, thousands of flags that matched the design of the team shirt flew over the stadiums of Italy. The team were as confident as the shirt suggested and managed to hit a remarkable 15 goals on the way to lifting the trophy.
It holds a special place in my heart due to my Dad having a t-shirt version of it prior to his near fatal accident that summer.

France 1998
The fourth tournament staged in France brought recollections of the European Championships of 1984 in which the host nation triumphed. Adidas decided to re-design the stylish kit of the Platini and Tigana era and succeeded in producing a modern version of a classic shirt.
Zinedine Zidane and his troops powered their way to the World Cup beating Brazil in the final. The giant France shirt that adorned a building on the Champs-Elesses after the final being an image burned into my memory.

Croatia 1998
THE most patriotic kit in World football. The red and white chequered look is unique, clean looking and almost hums the Croatian national anthem.
For a team to get away with such a bold kit, they need to have the players to carry it and Croatia have had those in abundance. Prosinecki, Boban, Suker, Modric and Srna have all worn the national colours with distinction. The Croations give off a clear signal that the management, players and fans are all in it together and are prepared to fight for their country.

Scotland 1986
The shirt was classic Scotland, a dark blue simple design that players and fans alike would feel smart in. Then somebody at Umbro came up with those shorts. An absurd idea that actually comes off. The more I’ve looked at them over the last 21 years, the more I want a pair for my jollies to Mallorca. Rounded of with red socks, the Scotland squad of 1986 wore the tartan army’s most iconic kit of all time.

Brazil 1970
An obvious choice but who can argue. This team seem to pop up in every ‘best’ list in the game. Best player of all time? Pele. Best team of all time? Brazil ‘70. Best goal of all time? Carlos Alberto versus Italy. And so it goes on.
The kit they wore is possibly the finest ever worn by any team at any time. Yellow shirts with green trim, blue shorts and white socks. Absolute class. If you were offered any three players’ shirts from the history of football, can you keep your face straight and say that Edson Arantes do Nascimento’s number 10 shirt wouldn’t be one of them?

Holland 1974-78
The bridesmaid that upstages the bride is often frowned upon, but twice during the 1970’s, Holland played second fiddle in the World Cup hosts and winners wearing a classier outfit than the main attraction.
The simple Orange adidas shirt with either white or black shorts and orange socks inspired a generation of kids who watched the World Cup in glorious Technicolor.
The story of Johan Cruyff’s adidas two stripe is well known. The Cruyff turn responsible for many a Father’s damaged ligaments during a thousand attempts in the park. Rinus Michels’ Total Football providing glorious Ajax and Holland teams during that period. All were carried out in the brilliant ‘Oranje’ of the Netherlands national shirt.

Peru 1978
Any football list will, at some point, make the Scots blush. This one is no exception. Ally’s Army arrived in Argentina promising to bring the World Cup home and actually put a half decent show on, beating the aforementioned Dutch. They had already inflicted the damage on themselves though, by drawing 1-1 with Iran and being took to the cleaners by a stunning looking Peru side in all white with red action slash across their shirts. If Peru had worn a more modest kit such as a totally red shirt and white shorts, would we still remember the name Teofilo Cubillas?
Peru also slapped four past Iran and their draw with the Dutch meant they were able to pit the beautiful red sash against the kits of Argentina, Brazil and Poland in the second round. Unfortunately, Cubillas and co. lost all their games in the second round and crashed out. The kit though left an enduring image in the minds of ‘70’s football fans across the globe.

It would have took a brave linesman to tell him it was offside.

Italy 1982
Quite possibly the only football shirt ever, that you’d consider wearing for a night out. A classic, blue polo shirt look with the colours of the Italian flag neatly edging the collars and sleeves. The Azzuri have always reeked of style but this set the standard.
The simple badge and straightforward switch to white for the away kit made Italy’s 1982 squad the most impeccably dressed World Cup Winners of all time.

Argentina 1986
You couldn’t possibly imagine that a Le Coq Sportif kit would make a best ever list but how can you leave out this classic? Alright, so the shorts are a bit small and the sight of it can bring us Englishmen out in cold sweats but it’s a beautiful design that seems to perfectly match Argentina’s style of play. The sky blue and white stripes reflect the crisp, free-flowing, attacking football that most international sides would love to be able to emulate. The black shorts allude to a dark side to a team that has been involved in many controversies over the years, from the animals of Wembley ‘66 through Maradona’s drug scandal and onto the fisticuffs with Germany in 2006.

Look closely....Higuita is smiling.

Cameroon 1990
The colours of the Indomitable Lions kits in Italia ‘90 was matched by the vast array of sights and sounds brought by the team and it‘s fans to Europe. From their stunning opening win over defending champions right through to the unlucky defeat by a visibly shocked England, Cameroon’s green shirts, red shorts and yellow sock thrilled World Cup fans throughout the tournament. They were supposed to be the whipping boys but stunned Argentina, Romania and Colombia before falling at the quarter final stage.