Jersey treasures

The variety of football shirts in the world of football is vast and colourful. Over time, certain jerseys have achieved cult status, whether due to the sporting success of the team in question, the popularity of the players, distinctive shirt numbers, a special design or particularly iconic shirt sponsorship. Many of these defining and historic jerseys form part of the German Football Museum’s collection. On the Instagram channel @fussballmuseum, all jersey fans can name their personal favourites during the Bundesliga’s summer and winter breaks and vote on which standout jerseys will next be displayed in a central showcase on the upper exhibition level.

Currently on display there are a Schalke shirt from the 1996/1997 ‘Eurofighter’ season, a Bayern shirt from the 1999 title-winning year and a Real Madrid shirt commemorating the 2017 Champions League triumph. These legendary jerseys were worn by equally legendary players. Mehmet Scholl delighted fans in Munich for years with his immense passion for the game; with his outstanding passing accuracy, Toni Kroos orchestrated Real Madrid’s midfield for a decade; and Mike Büskens secured his place in the hearts of Schalke supporters with his combative style of play and victory in the UEFA Cup. Jerseys are therefore far more than just a piece of fabric. They capture the essence of magical and legendary football moments.