Architecture is once again the source of inspiration for football shirts A trend that started with Nike and exploded with PUMA

Even in this strange summer of play and not only of the transfer market, of cups and not of rallies, the releases of the new shirts attract an ever wider audience thanks to the contamination of worlds only apparently far from football. The trends are defined and the evolution of football jersey seems to follow a very linear path, with the 3 main brands - Nike, adidas and PUMA - who challenge each other with innovative design shots, revolutionary patterns and extravagant cultural references.

One of the most visible trends after the wave of kit 2020/21 - which lacks sacred monsters such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid - is that relating to architecture and symbols that make cities different and unique. The graphic references and the sources of visual inspiration are indispensable to create a kit that can have an impact on merchandising and a positive impact in terms of branding.

The latest example arrived is that of AC Milan, with one of the most beautiful jerseys of the last 10 years. The "bringing eternal architecture onto the pitch" that stands out on social networks at the time of launch requires no further explanation. The pattern recalls the flooring design of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, one of the most iconic elements in the center of Milan. The last team that is missing is Valencia, but also in this case from the leaks - which have never been more faithful than the kits presented this year - there is another clear reference dedicated to the Llotja de la Seda.

The architectural trend of PUMA Football began with the launch of Italy's third shirt, inspired by the Renaissance movement. The "Rinascimento" declines an unconventional green color that at the beginning made people discuss, but that was appreciated and sold a lot. In fact, from the 2019 activity report prepared by the FIFC, it says that "it produced high-level results in commercial terms, affecting 35% of the sales of the official national team shirts in the 2019 calendar year".