Identity, tradition and culture on Macron’s new kits for the Albanian national football team

The Albanian Football Federation and Macron have just presented the new kits that the ‘Shqiponjat’ will wear in the upcoming international matches. The Albanian team is fresh from a European championship in which it proved to be a formidable force, with the ability to challenge far more illustrious teams like Italy, Croatia (held to a 2-2 draw) and the winners, Spain, against whom Sylvinho’s men battled until the last, losing by just one goal. The Euro2024 experience has inspired the Albanian squad and given players the confidence to look forward to even greater things in future.

The Federation’s first step in preparation for the upcoming season has been to present the new game kits that the Albanian side will wear in its next international games. The jerseys convey the team’s identity and its strong links to the tradition and culture of the Balkan nation. The colours, symbols and artistic references chosen by Macron, who has partnered with the FSHS since 2016, make the new shirts unique.

The new Home shirt maintains the side’s traditional red (the colour of the Albanian flag) with a crew neck and sleeve cuffs in black. The shirt is characterised by embossed graphics representing the two-headed eagle, one of the most iconic symbols of Albania and frequently found on traditional costumes, carpets and ornaments in general. The custom inside neck label has a red background with the same graphics as the shirt, the FSHF logo and the words ‘FEDERATA SHQIPTARE E FUTBOLLIT’, the Macron logo and the words ‘Designed in Bologna’, certifying that the garment is conceived, designed and produced the Macron Campus. The Macron Hero is silicone printed in black on the right of the chest, and the Albanian Football Federation badge appears on the left. A tape around the inside of the bottom hem repeats the eagle motif interspersed with the words ‘Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder’ (Albania, you honour me) taken from a famous poem by the poet Naim Frashëri. The word ‘SHQIPËRI’ (Albania) is printed in black behind the neck and reappears embossed in tone-on-tone at the bottom of the shirt. The shorts are black with a Macron Hero on the sides. The socks are also black but with two red stripes around the top. Also in red are a Macron Hero just above the ankle and the word ‘Shqipëri’ on the calf.

The Away shirt is white with a crew neck and sleeve cuffs in black with red details. Again, the graphics are embossed and tone-on-tone, identical to those on the Home shirt. The inside neck label, the bottom hem tape, behind-the-neck details, and the lettering at the bottom of the jersey are identical to those on the Home shirt. The shorts are white with black drawstrings and a Macron Hero on the sides. The socks are white but have a black top with a red stripe. The Macron Hero and the word ‘Shqipëri’ appear in black above the ankle and on the calf respectively.

Finally, the Third jersey is in total black with red details on the crew neck and sleeve cuffs; as with the Home and Away versions, this shirt has an embossed double-headed eagle motif. The Macron Hero on the right of the chest is in red, as is the badge of the FSHF on the left. Black shorts complete this kit with a red Macron Hero on the sides and black socks with two red stripes around the top. The Macron Hero above the ankle and the word ‘Shqipëri’on the calf are also red.

Like all the garments Macron produces for its partner clubs and federations, the new kits of the Albanian Football Federation are made from Eco Fabric, a polyester material derived entirely from recycled post-consumer plastic. In particular, the chosen fabric is Eco-Light Serena with a back panel in Eco Micromesh and Eco Mesh inserts for reduced weight and improved breathability. The new kits of the Albanian National team can be purchased from the section of the macron.com website dedicated to the FSHF.