Introduction to Retro Paris Saint Germain Jerseys The Retro Paris Saint Germain (PSG) jersey tells the extraordinary tale of one of the most iconic and successful football clubs not only in France, but throughout Europe. The Parisian team’s rich history, vibrant colours, and well-known players have left a powerful mark on the footballing world, so […]
The Retro Paris Saint Germain (PSG) jersey tells the extraordinary tale of one of the most iconic and successful football clubs not only in France, but throughout Europe. The Parisian team’s rich history, vibrant colours, and well-known players have left a powerful mark on the footballing world, so much so that the retro jersey is sought after by fans and collectors alike.
In this article, we delve into the past of Paris Saint Germain, their classic kits, the Parc Des Princes stadium, and notable historical players who’ve worn the famed retro jersey with pride and elegance.
Paris Saint Germain Football Club was founded on August 12, 1970, following the merger of Paris Football Club and Stade Saint-Germain, a team founded in 1904 and based in the Parisian suburb of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The newly formed club retained the historical crest of Stade Saint-Germain and adopted the name Paris Saint-Germain to symbolize the union of both Parisian and suburban supporters.
Initially, the club started out in the third tier of the French football league, but their journey to success was rapid; within five years of its inception, PSG had already secured promotion to the French first division, Ligue 1. Since then, the club has accumulated multiple league titles, domestic cup victories, and even a UEFA Champions League runner-up position in 2020.
When discussing the Retro PSG jerseys, one of the most striking features is undoubtedly the colors. The iconic kit is primarily composed of blue, red, and white – colors intrinsically associated with Paris and France as a nation. The blue base stands for Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the birthplace of the club, while the bold red vertical stripe that runs down the jersey’s center represents Paris. Finally, white is often used as a complementary color in the trim, symbolizing purity and elegance.
The famous retro kit’s design has evolved over the years, with jersey suppliers such as Le Coq Sportif, Nike, and Adidas each adding their own unique touches to the iconic strip. However, the one constant that remains is the emblematic Hechter design – named after French designer and former PSG president, Daniel Hechter. The design was introduced in the early 1970s and features the centrally placed red stripe flanked by thin white lines, which then seamlessly blends into the base blue of the jersey.
Another noticeable feature in the retro kit is the PSG crest, which has undergone several transformations since the club’s establishment. The original crest, inherited from Stade Saint Germain, depicted a red and blue football with the Parisian symbol of a ship floating on the River Seine. Over the years, the crest has been modernized, incorporating the Eiffel Tower and the iconic Fleurs-de-Lys, symbolizing French royalty.
The Parc des Princes is the historical home of Paris Saint Germain FC, a stadium with a capacity of nearly 48,000 spectators. Opened in 1897, the venue initially operated primarily as a velodrome for cycling races, before transitioning into a multi-purpose stadium post-World War II. The stadium has witnessed many pivotal moments in PSG’s history and has hosted numerous international events, including the FIFA World Cup, Rugby World Cup, and major European finals.
Located in the southwest of Paris, the Parc des Princes exudes elegance and modernism, much like the city it calls home, in its architectural design. It has undergone many renovations, the last major one being in 2015, which ensured the stadium remained one of the premier footballing temples in Europe.
The following iconic historical players have represented Les Parisiens with pride, wearing the retro Paris Saint Germain jersey with distinction and securing their status as heroes of the Parc des Princes:
1. Safet Sušić: A Bosnian attacking midfielder who represented PSG between 1982 and 1991, Sušić scored 85 goals in his time at the club and played a crucial role in their title-winning side of 1985-86.
2. Dominique Bathenay: A talented midfielder and a true servant for PSG, Bathenay appeared in 371 games between 1978 and 1989, guiding the club to their first ever league title in 1986.
