#TBT CLASSIC KITS: MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM 98

Our first National Team #tbt Classic Kits feature and damn is it a good one. Today we look at one of the most iconic kits in the history of international soccer. The 90s were a time for often loud, sometimes hideous but always memorable jersey experimentation. In 98 Mexico’s ABA Sport strips tip-toed the line between all three. 

The kit: Mexican National Team 98 World Cup

Brand: ABA Sport

Sponsor: N/A

Worn by: Luis Hernandez, Cuahtemoc Blanco, Alberto Garcia Aspe, Pavel Pardo and Claudio Suarez

The Story: Sometimes a kit just remains etched in our psyche and becomes eternalyl synonymous with a team. The Mexican National Team’s 98 World Cup ABA Sport strip was that for so many people. The classic green, white and red was always a must, given the namesake for “El Tri.” Most notable kits featured a brilliant print straight from an Aztec calendar, the men dawning them played with the never say die spirit fitting of their ancestors. Players like Luis “El Matador” Hernandez, Cuahtemoc Blanco and the indomitable Claudio Suarez made Mexico a tenacious side in all competitions. In France 98 they’d qualify from a tough group featuring Holland, Belgium and South Korea. In the round of 16 they’d go up early against against the mighty Germans. Though they fought hard, El Tri would eventually succumb to two late goals courtesy of Jurgen Klinsman and Olvier Bierhoff. Mexico’s resolute performance was lauded from France to Mexico City and those kits forever a symbol of that endeavor.