The Best Inter Milan Kits Worn in European Glory

Inter Milan—the Nerazzurri. A club steeped in style, drama, and a rich European legacy. As much as their footballing pedigree stands tall across the decades, so does the sartorial elegance of their kits, especially when it comes to Europe’s grand stages: the Champions League and the defunct yet beloved European Cup Winners’ Cup.

From Helenio Herrera’s catenaccio warriors to José Mourinho’s treble-winning titans, Inter’s jerseys have become symbols of triumph, defiance, and Milanese cool. Let’s revisit the greatest of them.

1. 1964–65 – The Classic Black and Blue of the Herrera Era

Competition: European Cup (Champions League predecessor)
Best Moment: Lifting back-to-back European Cups in 1964 and 1965

The Herrera years are synonymous with Inter’s first European dynasty. Their kit? A no-nonsense black and blue vertical stripe shirt, paired with black shorts and socks.

The fabric was thick and heavy by today’s standards, but the look was sleek, minimalist, and timeless. With players like Giacinto Facchetti and Sandro Mazzola dominating Europe, this shirt became a canvas of European excellence. No badge clutter. No sponsor logos. Just history in stripes.

2. 1990–91 – The Umbro European Nights Special

Competition: European Cup Winners’ Cup
Best Moment: Winning the trophy in Rotterdam against Roma

The early 90s brought a kit many fans still cherish: Umbro’s dark-hued, almost oil-slicked take on the Nerazzurri stripes, worn during Inter’s successful Cup Winners’ Cup campaign.

The iconic Misura sponsor added retro charm, while the broader stripes and thicker collars screamed early ’90s football aesthetic. Lothar Matthäus and Jürgen Klinsmann made this shirt unforgettable on those cold European nights.

3. 1997–98 – Ronaldo’s Blue Lightning

Competition: UEFA Cup (technically a step below CL, but worth including)
Best Moment: Ronaldo’s iconic solo goal vs Lazio in the final

Though not from the Champions League or Cup Winners’ Cup, we’d be remiss not to mention the electric kit Ronaldo wore during his UEFA Cup masterclass. The blue-black was vivid, the Pirelli logo debuted that season, and the design felt like a bridge between old-school stripes and modern branding. The shirt had a surreal, slick quality—Ronaldo’s magic only made it more legendary.

4. 2009–10 – The Treble Kit

Competition: UEFA Champions League
Best Moment: Winning the final vs Bayern Munich in Madrid

José Mourinho’s Inter was as ruthless as it was elegant. The kit from that season is now sacred. Traditional stripes? Check. Pirelli sponsor? Of course. A Scudetto shield and Coppa Italia badge? Worn with pride as they conquered all fronts.

The kit was manufactured by Nike but with a classic feel—its visual power now multiplied by the memory of Inter lifting the Champions League trophy for the first time since the 1960s.

5. 2020–21 – The Zig-Zag Controversy

Competition: UEFA Champions League
Best Moment: The return to domestic dominance (though less successful in Europe)

Though divisive among fans, the 2020–21 kit deserves a mention for daring to reinterpret the Nerazzurri identity. Nike’s zig-zag design was inspired by Milanese modernism and streetwear culture.

Some hated it. Some loved it. But it brought attention back to Inter’s forward-thinking style. In a season where they reclaimed Serie A, even if Europe didn’t end in glory, the shirt became a new cult classic.

Honourable Mentions

• 1980s Coppa Italia-European Cup Winners’ Cup hybrids with subtle designs and deep V-necks
• 2002–03 Third Kit (used in CL) – black with grey pinstripes, the kind of subtle luxury only Inter could pull off
• 2013–14 Away Kit – pristine white with a bold red cross, used during Champions League qualifiers

Why Inter Kits Are Special

Inter’s kits have always balanced tradition with risk-taking. Whether it’s the sharp contrast of black and blue or the elegant way sponsors are integrated, there’s something uniquely fashionable about their European attire. And when that kit is worn during a famous European night, it becomes more than just fabric—it becomes a piece of football history.