With over 100 years of history, River Plate are one of the most recognized football clubs in the world. Their iconic red sash has donned some of the most celebrated football shirts and has been worn by some of the game’s greatest players. Here are the 10 greatest River Plate kits of all time.
Club Atlético River Plate are one of Argentina’s most storied and successful soccer clubs. Founded on May 25, 1901, River Plate quickly became a major force in Argentine soccer. Throughout the mid-20th century, the club enjoyed a period of unprecedented success, winning numerous domestic league titles and Copa Libertadores trophies.
River Plate is known for a dynamic and attacking style of play, with legendary players such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Enrique Omar Sívori, and Ariel Ortega making significant contributions to the club’s storied history. River Plate’s fierce rivalry with Boca Juniors, known as the Superclásico, is one of the most intense and famous derbies in world soccer, capturing the passion and drama of Argentine football.
Since 1982, the club has been dressed by adidas, and while their home kit has not changed much over the years, the style and presentation of their iconic red stripe on a white kit has become one of the most recognizable jerseys in world soccer. With their most recent kit hitting shelves across the world, it’s as good a time as ever to list the 10 best River Plate kits of all time.
10. 1999-00 Home
The elegant 1999 kit, famous in Argentina with Quilmes beer as the sponsor, returned to simplicity, featuring a red collar and long sleeves. Javier Saviola, Juan Pablo Ángel, Mario Yepes, and Pablo Aimar were the stars of that era.
9. 1994-95 Home
River Plate won their last-ever undefeated Argentine league in the Apertura of 1994. The team, led by Américo Gallego, won 12 games and drew 7, and also triumphed over Boca Juniors at the famed Bombonera, winning 3-0. As such, the kit they accomplished these feats in has become fondly remembered by fans. Notably, it is the final year with a Sanyo sponsor before switching to the iconic Quilmes logo that is adorned on several other shirts on this list.
8. 1999-00 Away
The No. 10 entry’s companion, 1999-00 also saw a fantastic away shirt, which is essentially the home design just in black. This era of River Plate had legendary players and saw a period of dominance over Argentine football, and the club looked great while doing it.
7. 2001-02 Centennial
Centennial kits are always special, and River Plate’s edition in the 2001-02 season was no different. Using the club’s original circular crest and a classy design, the special one-off kit is now a highly coveted collector’s item.
6. 2012-13 Away
An elegant all-red design with River’s iconic red stripe in a slightly lighter shade, this kit also featured a white collar, harkening back to the classic styling of many fans’ favorite River kits.
5. 1986-87 Home
The River Plate home kit from 1986 had a unique feature: a logo that was not the club’s official crest, but rather a lion. In 1984, Hugo Santilli, then president of River Plate, had dinner with the acclaimed cartoonist Caloi and requested a new logo for the team’s jersey. While wearing that lion crest, River won the Copa Libertadores, Copa Intercontinental, and the Interamericana competition. The logo cannot be used today, as the cartoonist’s family owns the rights to the image.
4. 2018-19 Home
The kit River Plate fans will cherish forever — one which the club wore when it defeated archrivals Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores. While a simple design inspired by a 2000 model, it will always hold a special place in River fans’ hearts.
3. 2023-24 Away
Also known as the “Earthquake” kit due to its resemblance to the tights worn by WWE wrestler Earthquake, this vibrant kit seemed out of place. Drawing inspiration from a similar mid-90s kit, watching the team play in this shirt has been a special experience and it stands out as a favorite.
2. 2024-25 Home
It’s rare for a newer kit, especially the latest one, to become one of the best in a club’s history, but adidas excelled in its presentation for the latest River Plate home shirt. Drawing inspiration from the 1986 kit, when River won the Copa Intercontinental and Copa Libertadores in the same season, it also reintroduced long sleeves with a clean white design and vibrant red colors.
1. 1996-97 Home
River Plate’s home kit from 1996 to 1998 is a signature jersey of the 1990s. With the trademark baggy fit from the era, it featured an elegant white and red stripe with a mini crest all-over pattern. The jersey also had a shiny material, which looked extra bright under the floodlights during night matches. The long-sleeve version has become one of the most sought after kits not just from fans, but jersey collectors alike. It’s truly a work of art and a no-brainer at the top of this list.
