AC Milan 2012/13 Third Kit

Front view

Back view

Milan's crest.

Inscription inside the collar.

The coolest thing on the shirt: an Italian flag which ends in a pocket.

Pato wearing the shirt during its launch.

ASSOCIAZIONE CALCIO MILAN
-Founded: 16 December 1899
-7 European Cups (Last one: 2007); 18 Italian Leagues (Last one: 2011)
-Biggest rival: Inter Milan 
-The club was founded as a football and cricket club on 16 December 1899 by English expatriates Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin, who came from the English city of Nottingham. In honor of its English origins, the club has retained the English spelling of the city's name, as opposed to the Italian spelling Milano which it was forced to bear under the fascist regime.

I had the opportunity to get a shirt of a club from Milan, and obviously I wasn't going to choose any of the plain Inter's kits. They told me it had been very easy to find the shirt because Milan has several stores around the city, and even a two-storey building called Megastore. I think this is the first shirt with a pocket on it I've ever seen, and I really really like it.
It's the 33rd shirt in my collection... I don't really have any superb shirt or anything you couldn't easily find on the Internet, but I feel my collection starts growing faster and every new shirt I receive thrills me like the first one, and that's what really matters :)

I'm going to start focusing on Spanish teams and Asian teams. I suppose there will be more offers now that the season is ending... I have an eye on some shirts like Levante, LionsXII (from Singapore), Villarreal and some former Soviet countries.

Nigeria 2006/07 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Nigeria Football Association's crest.

Teamgeist logo.

Obafemi Martins during a match.

NIGERIA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM 
-First official match: 28 May 1950 
-Honours: 3 African Cup of Nations (Nigeria 1980, Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013). 
-Highest FIFA Ranking: 5th (April 1994) 
-Lowest FIFA Ranking: 82nd (November 1999) 
-Highest Elo Rating: 14th (May 2004) 
-Lowest Elo Rating: 87th (December 1964) 
-Top scorer: Rashidi Yekini (1984-1998) - 37 goals 

I said I was gonna buy the shirt of the ACN champions. I'm a man of his words, and here it is. I was wondering about the streets of Madrid when I found a little sports shop with many rare football shirts (such as Mexico, Nigeria or Spain of the 2006 World Cup). Nigeria was the only one that fitted me, so I took that one for just 15€. But it wasn't until I arrived home when I realised I had kept my promise.
The shirt is no big deal, just a normal template, as Adidas has been doing with Nigeria during the past few years.

China 2008/10 Away Kit

Front view

Back view

Chinese flag and Chinese Wall pattern detail.

Chinese words at the back. I don't really know what does it mean.

Chinese player Gào Lín during a match against South Korea.

CHINA NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
-First official match: 4 August 1952
-Honours: 2 East Asian Football Championships (South Korea 2005, Japan 2010).
-Highest FIFA Ranking: 37th (December 1998)
-Lowest FIFA Ranking: 109th (March 2013)
-Highest Elo Rating: 26th (October 2001)
-Lowest Elo Rating: 80th (December 2008)
-Top scorer: Hǎo Hǎidōng (1992-2004) - 53 goals

Well, after some many busy weeks I've found a moment to post new shirts again. This one comes from Brad (whose collection you can view here), who was selling some of his shirts. I could get this one just for £10, quite a good price for a China shirt.
It's a decent one, althought China shirts have been improving in the past few years. Adidas didn't work a lot on this.

I'll try to keep posting my latest purchases: Nigeria (ACN Champions!), Milan and a Santos player issue shirt.

Zamalek SC 2011/12 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Zamalek's crest

Detail at the back of the shirt.

ZAMALEK SPORTING CLUB / نادي الزمالك للألعاب الرياضية
-Founded: 5 January 1911
-5 CAF Champions Leagues (Last one: 2002); 11 Egyptian Leagues (Last one: 2004)
-Biggest rival: Al-Ahly SC
-The club was inaugurated under the name of “Kasr-El Nil Club“ and was first headed by Belgian lawyer Merzbach. The name was changed to Mokhtalat in the year 1913 and was named after King Farouk in 1940, before finally settling as Zamalek after the 1952 Egyptian revolution. 

Not really sure about this shirt. I know it's not a fake but, apart from that... the eBay seller sent me this one, despite the pictures showed other shirt... I've been looking for it on the internet, and I sent a message to their official Facebook page. They told me, in a peculiar English, that this was used in the 2011/12 season, but I can't find any pictures of the team wearing it.
So if you know anything about this shirt, please leave a comment or email me at guille-shirts@collector.org

UCL Adidas Finale 4 - Signed by Real Madrid's squad

Front view

View of both footballs

Signatures: Ronaldo, Zidane, Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Raúl and Beckham

UCL ADIDAS FINALE 4 SIGNED BY REAL MADRID PLAYERS.
This is one of that things which you remember you have, but not where. Mine was hidden in a basket full of toys (the other one, my brother's, was on a flowerpot in my terrace and some of the signatures have almost disappeared. You can see how the one in the right is a bit faded due to the sunlight), but despite that it's in good condition.
Today I remembered that my uncle brought us a pair of these signed footballs, as he knew someone in Real Madrid's coaching staff, so I cleaned and inflated them.
The ball is from the 2004/05 season but it's signed by Real Madrid's squad in 2005/06 season.

They are signed by:
1. Iker Casillas
2. Míchel Salgado
3. Roberto Carlos
4. Sergio Ramos
5. Zinedine Zidane
6. Iván Helguera
7. Raúl
8. Julio Baptista
9. Ronaldo
10. Robinho
12. Pablo García
13. Diego López
14. Guti
15. Raúl Bravo
16. Thomas Gravesen
18. Jonathan Woodgate
21. Diogo
22. Francisco Pavón
23. David Beckham
24. Álvaro Mejía

By the way, just purchased a limited edition Cameroon shirt for the World Cup 2010 from Classic Football Shirts. I'll post it soon!

Denmark 2010/12 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Detail of the crest and the Adidas logo.

Inscription at the top of the back: Danish Football Association (DBU).

Denmark's starting eleven in a match during South Africa 2010 WC.

DENMARK NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
-First official match: 23 April 1906
-Honours: 1 UEFA European Championship (Sweden 1992) 
-Highest FIFA Ranking: 3rd (May 1997, July 1997-August 1997) 
-Lowest FIFA Ranking: 38th (March 2009) 
-Highest Elo Rating: 1st (May 1914-June 1918, October 1918-June 1919) 
-Lowest Elo Rating: 65th (May 1967)
-Top scorer: Poul Nielsen (1910-1925) and Jon Dahl Tomasson (1997-2010) - 52 goals 

The Three Wise men have come, and they have left great presents! Between them, there was this 2010 World Cup Denmark shirt. I've had got my eyes on it for a long time, but I couldn't imagine that my parents were going to find it. It cost 25€, in the same place and with the same template as my Ukraine shirt. One day I hope to have the Denmark shirt they used for the last UEFA Euro, which is also very beautiful.
These have been a good Christmas holidays as regards football shirts. I also want to thank all of you guys who are visiting the blog and encouraging me to continue with the collection!

Philadelphia Union 2010/11 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Philadelphia Union's crest.

We are one inscription inside of the collar-

Brian Carroll and Freddy Adu celebrating Carroll's goal.

PHILADELPHIA UNION
-Founded: 2008
-Biggest rivals: DC United and NY Red Bulls
-The Union's first game was played on March 25, 2010, in which they lost 2–0 to Seattle Sounders FC at Qwest Field, the first game of the 2010 MLS season. Sébastien Le Toux became the first player to score a goal for Philadelphia in their home opener on April 10, 2010, a 3–2 win over D.C. United at Lincoln Financial Field. The team again played Seattle Sounders FC for the first match at PPL Park on June 27, 2010.

This is one of my birthday's presents, which my father brought from Philadelphia some months ago and has been kept in secret during this time. I've discovered that this was the jersey used by Philadelphia Union in its first year in MLS (2010, they also used it in 2011), so it's like having a piece of history in the collection. I'm not a big fan of the sponsor, but the rest of the shirt is very cool.
I've bought Zamalek SC shirt (Egypt) as a present for myself, so you will see it uploaded in a few days.

Spain 2010 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Puyol is OVER NINE THOUSAND

Oh, poor De Jong. He looks scared :(

SPAIN NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
-First official match: 28 August 1920
-Honours: 1 FIFA World Cup (South Africa 2010); 3 UEFA European Championship (Spain 1964, Austria-Switzerland 2008, Poland-Ukraine 2012).
-Highest FIFA Ranking: 1st (July 2008–June 2009, October 2009–March 2010, July 2010–July 2011, October 2011–present)
-Lowest FIFA Ranking: 25th (March 1998)
-Highest Elo Rating: 1st (Sept 1920–May 1924, Sept–Dec 1925, June 2002, June 2008–June 2009, July 2010–present)
-Lowest Elo Rating: 20th (June 1969, June 1981, November 1991)
-Top scorer: David Villa (2005-present) - 53 goals

It's compulsory to have this in your collection. I remember I decided to buy the shirt when Spain beat Poland 6-0 in a friendly match before 2010 World Cup. After Spain was proclaimed champion, I didn't want to put the star above the crest because I wanted to preserve the shirt as it was before and during the tournament. And I have to say that I don't really like the design and the colours of the shirt, which is really strange between the shirts of the blog.

Real Madrid 2006/07 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

FIFA Award Best Club XX Century Badge

Team of big contrasts between the players' quality

REAL MADRID CLUB DE FÚTBOL 
-Founded: 6 March 1902
-9 European Cups (Last one: 2002); 32 Spanish Leagues (Last one: 2012)
-Biggest rival: FC Barcelona
-The club is the richest football club in terms of annual revenue, generating €479.5million in 2011 and the second most valuable, worth €1.8billion.

One of the first shirts I had. You can notice this collar is the one of the kid's shirt, because it has a different shape from the original one. I've been remembering the good old days when I've seen the team photo with Van Nistelrooy, Beckham, Míchel Salgado, Raúl and Roberto Carlos. That team was very different than the one these days.
I do think Mourinho is between the three best coaches in the world. However, he isn't doing anything but harming Real Madrid, and in my opinion this season should be his last opportunity to show he can win something important.

NY Red Bulls 2011/12 Away Kit

Front view

Back view

Thierry Henry during a friendly match against Arsenal.

RB's name is associated with extreme sports (and not so extreme ones).

NEW YORK RED BULLS
-Founded: 1995 (Sold to Red Bull on March 9, 2006)
-They are the only original MLS franchise not to have won any significant trophy
-Biggest rival: DC United
-It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception. The team was originally known as the New York/New Jersey MetroStars through 1997. From the 1998 season through the 2005 season, the team was known as the MetroStars. On March 9, 2006, the team was sold to Red Bull GmbH, leading to the team's current name.

Football jerseys in the MLS are part of another world. Adidas templates are launched there and months later they are brought to Europe. Every MLS team has its personalized shirt, not just a coloured template. And before I had this shirt, I didn't imagine a sponsor of that size could seem so cool. I hope that soccer keeps growing in America.

Real Madrid 2011/12 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Detail of the 3D crest.

Epic moment, Ronaldo asking for relax at the Nou Camp.

REAL MADRID CLUB DE FÚTBOL 
-Founded: 6 March 1902
-9 European Cups (Last one: 2002); 32 Spanish Leagues (Last one: 2012)
-Biggest rival: FC Barcelona
-It is one of three clubs to have never been relegated from the top flight of Spanish football, along with Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona.

I think it's one of the best shirts Real Madrid has had in a few years. Real Madrid has also won its last league with this shirt, and the fans have lived moments like the victory against Barcelona.
This shirt is quite 'mainstream', but I like to put it on when I'm watching an important match on TV. Or through a streaming on the Internet hahahaha.
I hope more shirts are coming for Christmas (it's supposed to be a surprise).

Ukraine 2010/12 Home Kit

Front view

Back view

Tymoschuk is the most capped Ukranian player.

UKRAINE NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM
-First official match: 29 April 1992
-Highest FIFA Ranking: 11th (February 2007)
-Lowest FIFA Ranking: 132nd (September 1993)
-Highest Elo Rating: 14th (October 2010)
-Lowest Elo Rating: 67th (March 1995)
-Top scorer: Andriy Shevchenko (1995-2012) - 48 goals

Well, I found this shirt in an outlet and I liked it enough to spend a few euros on it. I have to say that by the moment it's the most uncomfortable shirt I have in the collection. The badge it's too rough, but the design of the shirt offsets its drawbacks. It's also strange to see a short-sleeved Ukranian shirt, because of the cold and that stuff.