Mexico Jersey

Mexico’s national team stands among soccer’s elite, qualifying for the World Cup 15 consecutive times. The team ranks as one of only three nations advancing past the group stage in the last six World Cups. Mexican soccer reached quarter-finals twice, marking historic moments in 1970 and 1986. The team’s regional dominance shines through their record nine CONCACAF Gold Cup victories. These achievements parallel the team’s iconic jerseys that blend Mexico’s cultural heritage with state-of-the-art design.

The Mexican soccer jersey has transformed dramatically over the years. Simple designs gave way to detailed creations that capture the nation’s identity. The 2024 special edition jerseys showcase this evolution beautifully. Each shirt demands over 11 hours of meticulous hand embroidery. Skilled artisans weave more than 100 meters of thread into each jersey – matching the distance between goals on an official field. This craftsmanship symbolizes the 11 players who take the field. The classic green home kit and bold black alternatives tell compelling stories of national pride, commercial success, and artistic vision that reach way beyond the reach and influence of soccer itself.

The evolution of the Mexico soccer jersey through the decades

The rise of the Mexico soccer jersey tells a fascinating story through soccer history, cultural identity, and state-of-the-art design. Each era adds a unique chapter to El Tri’s visual representation on the global stage.

From the 1930s to the 1970s: Simplicity and tradition

The first documented Mexico jersey appeared in 1930, during the inaugural FIFA World Cup™. The national team wore a striking burgundy shirt with dark navy or black shorts—these colors stayed consistent for almost three decades. Mexico’s first World Cup appearance saw them play in the tournament’s opening match against France, though they lost all three group stage matches.

A major change came in 1956 when the Mexican Football Association made a key decision before the Pan-American Championship. They redesigned the team’s colors to match the Mexican flag, which created what fans now call “El Tri” (The Tricolor)—green shirts, white shorts, and red socks. This patriotic combination made its World Cup debut at the 1958 tournament in Sweden.

We used heavy cotton with minimal decorative elements beyond the national crest during these early years. The team handled manufacturing in-house until 1968 when Rigg started producing the kits. Levi Strauss became the first manufacturer to put their logo on a Mexico jersey during the 1978 World Cup.

The 1980s and 1990s: Bold colors and experimentation

The 1980s brought new design experiments, starting with Pony Sports’ brief stint producing the national team’s kit in 1980. German sportswear giant Adidas took control from 1982 to 1990 and added their signature three stripes to the Mexico jersey.

Umbro created Mexico’s kits in the early 1990s. Their bold 1994 design featured a fractured and rearranged crest in a wild all-over pattern. Mexican brand ABA Sport later designed some of the team’s most memorable jerseys. Their 1996-1998 jerseys showcased ancient Aztec architecture and motifs that established a deep cultural connection.

The 1998 home kit by ABA Sport stands out as “the holy grail of football shirts”. Legendary players like Luis Hernandez, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and Jorge Campos wore this iconic design during the 1998 World Cup in France.

2000s to 2010s: Modernization and global branding

The new millennium brought refined designs. Atletica made the Mexico jersey from 2000-2002, followed by Nike from 2003-2006. Nike’s 2003 design showed a distinctive V-shaped figure on the chest with pre-Hispanic imagery.

Adidas started a lasting partnership with the Mexican national team in 2007. This collaboration created several groundbreaking designs, including Mexico’s first all-black away kit at the 2010 World Cup. The striking black template featured bright red and green notes that highlighted the team’s national colors effectively.

The 2014 World Cup Mexico jersey had a distinctive green zigzag design that many called “the kit of the tournament”. This era focused on modern designs while keeping Mexican heritage alive.

2020s: Cultural revival and design innovation

Recent years show a strong return to cultural celebration in Mexico jersey designs. The 2022 home jersey brought back the traditional green, drawing inspiration from the Aztec deity Quetzalcoatl with design elements that reflect the god’s plumage. The cream-colored 2022 away jersey with burgundy Aztec details became a collector’s favorite worldwide.

The 2024 jerseys continue this cultural renaissance with striking folk-art patterns that show “the colorful and playful way those from Mexico see life”. The 2024 Copa América jersey ranks as ESPN’s top tournament design, featuring a rich maroon base with a unique peacock-inspired pattern that references Mexican and Mayan mythology.

The brands behind the jerseys: A timeline of manufacturers

Every iconic Mexico jersey tells a story of manufacturing partnerships that have shaped the team’s visual identity through generations. These business relationships show how different brands have influenced El Tri’s look on the world stage.

Early years: In-house and local brands

Mexico’s national team made their own kits from the 1930s through much of the mid-20th century. These original jerseys focused on function over fashion with simple designs and the national crest. The team continued making jerseys in-house from 1950-1958, which laid the groundwork for Mexico’s soccer identity.

Umbro started making Mexico jerseys in 1966, marking the start of external manufacturing. The team briefly returned to in-house production by 1976. Levi’s then became the first company to put their logo front and center on Mexico’s kits during 1978-1979. Pony Sports followed with a short contract from 1980-1983, showing Mexico’s growing commercial appeal.

The ABA Sport and Umbro era

Umbro left its mark on Mexico’s look from 1991-1994. The British company created several memorable designs. Their 1994 World Cup jersey stood out with its broken-up, rearranged crest pattern that captured the bold design spirit of that time.

Mexican company ABA Sport created what many call the best Mexico jerseys ever made. Engineer Jorge Lankenau started the company after buying Liga MX team Monterrey in 1990. He first made jerseys for his own club when their adidas deal ended, then expanded to other Mexican teams.

ABA Sport won the national team contract by 1995. Their first design sparked debate with a large “M” on the front. The company’s 1996 creation became legendary when designer Ignacio Villarreal added the Sun Stone design that showed Mexico’s pre-Hispanic roots—experts now call it “one of the best football shirt designs of all time”.

Nike’s brief but bold influence (2003–2006)

Garcis (1999-2000) and Atletica (2000-2002) had short runs before Nike took over from 2003-2006. Nike’s short time proved impactful with their distinctive V-shaped chest design that featured pre-Hispanic art.

Nike cleverly referenced the 1970 World Cup in their jersey typography. Their technical advances made the jerseys more comfortable and better performing than previous versions.

adidas’ long-standing partnership since 2007

Adidas has worked with El Tri twice—first from 1983-1990, then from 2007 until now. The German brand has created many iconic designs. Their black Mexico jersey from 2010 became an instant hit with fans.

The Mexican Football Federation extended their adidas deal for 10 more years in November 2023, running through 2034. This partnership has seen Mexico win five Gold Cup titles and the U-17 World Cup in 2011.

Jorge Dionne, General Manager of Adidas Mexico, says “For Adidas, being among Mexican football has always been important. Contributing to its trip of success has become increasingly relevant, and we’re excited to continue being part of this path”.

This partnership brings strong business results too. Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compeán points out that “The jerseys of the Mexican Football Federation are among the bestselling Adidas jerseys globally”, showing the value of this lasting relationship.

Fan favorites: The most iconic Mexico soccer jerseys

Mexico’s jerseys have surpassed their basic function to become cultural treasures that fans worldwide cherish. These designs capture key moments in Mexican soccer and showcase the nation’s artistic heritage.

The 1998 home jersey

The 1998 home jersey stands out as “the holy grail of football shirts”. Mexican manufacturer ABA Sport created this green masterpiece with the Aztec Sun Stone shadow-printed across the fabric. Designer Ignacio Villarreal’s work blends Mexico’s pre-Hispanic roots into what experts call “one of the best football shirt designs of all time”.

Soccer legends Luis Hernandez, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, and Jorge Campos wore this jersey at the 1998 World Cup in France. The team scored eight goals in four matches while wearing it. The jersey’s lasting appeal led ABA Sport to release authentic versions recently. They produced both fan and player editions that match the original design perfectly.

The 2010 black Mexico jersey

Adidas showed its bold vision with Mexico’s first all-black away kit at the 2010 World Cup opening match against South Africa. Red and green accents popped against the dark background, highlighting the national colors beautifully.

The black design faced early criticism but ended up as adidas’ fourth best-selling jersey that year. Black became a regular alternative color in Mexico’s kit lineup, showing how state-of-the-art design can boost merchandise sales.

The 2014 green zigzag design

Many fans remember this as “the kit of the tournament” during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The home shirt featured a striking zigzag pattern. Mexico went unbeaten in the group stage while wearing it, including a draw with hosts Brazil after “outstanding heroics from legendary shot stopper Guillermo Ochoa”.

Fans loved this design for its unique look and connection to one of Mexico’s strongest World Cup performances. The team’s run stopped with a controversial late penalty against the Netherlands.

The 2022 feather-inspired away kit

The “Wonder White” away jersey for Qatar 2022 displayed pre-Hispanic imagery throughout. This culturally rich design featured malinalli grass, Quetzalcóatl’s speaking staff, and spiral patterns that reflected “words that flourish through truth, song and poetry”.

The jersey earned an unexpected title as “the nicest 2022 World Cup shirt not to be worn during the tournament” when Mexico failed to advance past the group stage.

The 2025 special edition jersey

The 2025 special edition “Mexico De Oro” jersey features a bold black base with gold highlights. Adidas designed this jersey specifically for the Gold Cup to celebrate Mexico’s golden cultural heritage. Early reactions suggest this design might join the list of beloved Mexico jerseys. It continues adidas’ successful blend of national identity with fresh esthetics.

Symbolism in design: What makes a jersey iconic

A Mexico jersey is more than just sportswear – it’s a cherished cultural icon that lifts spirits through its rich symbolic elements and strikes a chord with fans worldwide. These thoughtful design choices tell deeper stories about national identity, history, and athletic achievement.

Colors of the Mexican flag

The tricolor palette serves as the foundation of Mexico’s iconic soccer identity. The Mexican Football Association made a crucial change in 1958 by redesigning the team’s colors to match the national flag. This created what became known as “El Tri”—with green shirts, white shorts, and red socks. This patriotic combination took the place of burgundy kits worn from the 1930s through the mid-1950s. The green jersey became such a powerful symbol of Mexican identity that people began using the heartfelt phrase “El verde se lleva en el corazon” (the green is carried in the heart).

Aztec and Mayan motifs

Pre-Hispanic imagery has emerged as a signature element in Mexico’s jersey design, linking modern soccer with ancient heritage. The iconic 1998 home jersey showcased the Feathered Snake God (Quetzalcoatl) surrounded by the Aztec calendar. This bold design sparked passionate debate but remains a fan favorite. The 2022 World Cup home jersey took inspiration from Quetzalcoatl, with patterns that reflect the deity’s plumage and the feathered headdress known as the “copilli”. The 2024 away kit features intricate Aztec patterns throughout, paying tribute to Mexico’s ancestral civilizations.

References to national pride and unity

Mexico’s jerseys serve as powerful symbols of national identity beyond their visual appeal. The 2022 away kit features elements like the malinalli grass (connecting the cosmos to the netherworld), conch shells tied to Mesoamerican deities, and spirals that represent “words that flourish through truth, song and poetry”. The 2025 “Mexico De Oro” edition pays homage to the country’s rich cinema heritage with sophisticated details that embody “a declaration of identity, of pride”.

Player legacy and tournament moments

Some Mexico jerseys achieve iconic status through their connection to unforgettable performances. The bold black 2010 away jersey saw Mexico’s impressive display against South Africa in the World Cup opening match. The distinctive 2014 green zigzag design became legendary after Mexico’s unbeaten group stage performance against hosts Brazil, featuring “outstanding heroics from legendary shot stopper Guillermo Ochoa”.

Special editions and collaborations that made history

Beyond standard releases, Mexico jersey collaborations have created unique pieces that mix artistry with athletic functionality. These pieces often become coveted collectors’ items celebrating Mexican heritage.

The 2024/25 artisan-embroidered jerseys

The most remarkable recent collaboration pairs adidas with Someone Somewhere. Women artisans from Puebla’s Sierra Norte create hand-embroidered Mexico jerseys. Each jersey takes more than 11 hours of meticulous hand embroidery that symbolizes the 11 players representing Mexico on the field. These artisans weave over 100 meters of thread during the process – the same distance between goals on an official soccer field.

Someone Somewhere’s CEO Antonio Nuño says, “The two designs we developed with adidas are a perfect example of our mission: to create products that are better for our planet and its people”. These artisans learn their craft from mothers or grandmothers, and their generational techniques now shine on the global stage.

Limited Copa America releases

Adidas revealed distinctive home and away kits for Copa America 2024 that showcase Mexico’s vibrant cultural heritage. These jerseys come with either HEAT.RDY technology for player comfort or AEROREADY technology that keeps players dry by absorbing sweat.

The away jersey shows off the snake from Mexico’s coat of arms. This creates a unique pattern symbolizing power and greatness. Adidas Senior VP of Product Design Sam Handy explains their aim was “to create a collection that showcases the pinnacle of performance, while presenting designs that welcome the rich mixture of each nation’s culture”.

Mexico jersey women’s editions

Female supporters can pick from various Mexico soccer jersey options. The choices include authentic player versions for on-field performance or fan-focused editions with moisture-wicking AEROREADY technology and woven badges. The collection also has training jerseys and pre-match tops designed for active wear.

Eco-friendly fashion and cultural storytelling

Eco-friendly practices are now the foundations of jersey design philosophy. The 2024 Mexico jersey employs recycled materials, allowing adidas to “reuse materials that have already been created, which helps to reduce waste and our reliance on finite resources”.

Cultural storytelling plays a vital role in these special editions. The 2024 away jersey features eye-catching folk-art style patterns that reflect “the colorful and playful world of Mexican locals”. These special editions blend Mexico’s rich cultural heritage with modern sportswear innovation and strike a chord with fans worldwide.

Summing all up

Mexico’s iconic soccer jerseys have evolved from simple beginnings into powerful symbols of national identity and cultural pride over decades. These designs share an amazing story that goes way beyond the reach and influence of the field. They blend artistic excellence with athletic performance in a way that sets them apart from other national teams.

Simple burgundy shirts transformed into intricate Aztec-inspired masterpieces. This transformation shows the deep connection between Mexico’s soccer identity and its rich cultural heritage. The legendary 1998 ABA Sport creation with Sun Stone imagery and the bold 2010 black adidas kit have exceeded their original purpose. These cherished artifacts now represent key moments in Mexican soccer history.

Through collaboration with adidas since 2007, Mexico’s jerseys have entered a new era. Each manufacturer has added unique elements to this rich design legacy – from early in-house production to Nike’s brief but meaningful tenure. The hand-embroidered 2024 special editions showcase how traditional craftsmanship coordinates with modern sportswear technology.

The symbolism in these designs appeals deeply to fans worldwide. The tricolor palette represents the national flag while ancient Aztec and Mayan motifs celebrate cultural heritage. Each element celebrates Mexico’s past and shows confidence in its future on the global soccer stage.

These jerseys represent more than just athletic wear. They showcase a team that proves itself repeatedly on the world stage while displaying its cultural identity proudly. New generations of players wearing these iconic designs carry forward both sporting tradition and cultural heritage. The story behind Mexico’s most iconic soccer jerseys will fascinate and inspire fans for decades ahead.

Here are some FAQs about Mexico jersey:

What does the Mexico jersey mean?

The Mexico jersey represents national pride and cultural identity, featuring the country’s colors of green, white, and red. The Mexico soccer jersey often includes traditional symbols like the eagle and serpent from the Mexican flag. Wearing the Mexico jersey 2024 or 2025 shows support for the national team across various sports.

Who makes Mexico jersey?

Adidas has been the official manufacturer of the Mexico soccer jersey for many years, producing both home and away designs. For baseball, the Mexico baseball jersey is typically made by major sports brands like Nike or Under Armour. These companies release new versions like the Mexico jersey 2025 with updated styles and technology.

What color is Mexico soccer?

The traditional Mexico soccer jersey features green as the primary color, representing independence and hope. The away Mexico jersey 2024 often uses alternative color schemes like white or red, while maintaining national symbols. Some special editions like the black and gold Mexico jersey break from tradition for specific tournaments.

Why is Mexico wearing black and gold?

Mexico occasionally wears black and gold jerseys as special alternate uniforms, like the Mexico jersey 2024 third kit honoring cultural heritage. These limited edition Mexico soccer jersey designs often celebrate important anniversaries or partnerships. The striking color change offers a fresh look while still representing Mexican identity.

Why do they call it a jersey?

The term “jersey” originates from the Channel Island of Jersey, known for its knitted wool garments. Today, a Mexico jersey refers to the official uniform top worn by athletes, whether it’s a Mexico baseball jersey or soccer version. The name has become standard sports terminology worldwide for team shirts.

Why do Mexicans wear jerseys?

Mexicans wear jerseys to show national pride and support for their teams during international competitions. The Mexico soccer jersey in particular becomes a fashion statement and cultural symbol beyond just sports. Special editions like the Mexico jersey 2025 often become collector’s items for fans.

How to tell if a Mexico jersey is real?

Authentic Mexico jersey 2024 or 2025 versions will have proper Adidas/Nike branding, hologram tags, and high-quality stitching. Fake Mexico soccer jerseys often have pixelated logos, incorrect font, or missing details like the federation badge. Always check the product code against official retailer listings to verify authenticity.

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