Having made its triumphant return to the club scene and on some special edition international kits over recent months, adidas’s iconic Trefoil logo has hit the sweet spot in terms of nostalgia. Here’s why we think it deserves its moment in the spotlight.
Few symbols in sportswear are as instantly recognisable as the adidas Trefoil. First introduced in 1972 as the brand expanded beyond footwear into apparel, the Trefoil was a bold new identity that spoke to adidas’ growing global influence. The three-leaf design, inspired by florals and ancient laurels, incorporated the iconic Three Stripes in a new form, representing the continents where adidas was making its mark: Asia, Europe, and North America. Over time, it evolved into a heritage emblem, reserved exclusively for adidas Originals. But its recent resurgence on the pitch has sparked something special, and it’s time to embrace the Trefoil’s place in the international football arena.
One of the highlights of 2024 was undoubtedly the return of the Trefoil on the adidas performance scene. Having teased it through several lifestyle collections for clubs across the board in the preceding year, the iconic logo made its return to on-pitch performance wear in August last year, taking up residence on five elite teams’ third shirts for the 24/25 season. As part of adidas’ 75th-anniversary celebrations, it marked the first on-pitch appearance for the Trefoil since it was replaced by the Three Stripes logo that we’ve all become accustomed to on football kits over the last three decades or so. This reintroduction was both a nod to history and a statement of intent – the Trefoil wasn’t just back; it was thriving.
The momentum of its return was further bolstered by its presence for the first time ever on the Predator (David Beckham leveraging his ambassadorial positioning within the brand for what was one of the boot drops of the year). Then came the moment when the Trefoil graced two international kits: Argentina and Colombia, where it sat proudly on reimagined designs that fused heritage with innovation. The response? Pure adoration.
The Trefoil’s presence on international football kits is more than a marketing move; it’s a cultural statement. Unlike the streamlined Three Stripes Performance logo, which embodies pure functionality, the Trefoil carries a deeper resonance. It speaks to adidas’ legacy in football, recalling eras when icons like Marco Van Basten and Lothar Matthäus wore the brand’s gear on the biggest stages. It’s not just a logo—it’s a link to the soul of the game, a reminder of football’s golden days when kits were technologically simpler but no less iconic for it, boasting some of the best jersey designs of all time.
Football is as much about identity as it is about sport, and the Trefoil bridges the past and the present. For a new generation of fans, it offers a fresh aesthetic that distinguishes itself from the uniformity of modern kits. For those who grew up with it, the sight of the Trefoil on a shirt stirs something deeper—an emotional connection to the game’s history.
In football, nostalgia is a powerful currency. Fans romanticise past eras, legendary players, and iconic kits. The return of the Trefoil taps into that sentiment perfectly. It’s a subtle yet potent reminder of the shirts worn in some of football’s most cherished moments, taking in the emergence of some of the greatest generational talents over several decades—from Maradona dazzling in the 70s to Zidane orchestrating in the late 80s, and Beckham bending it in the early 90s.
The overwhelming success of the Trefoil’s return suggests this is only the beginning. Reports indicate that it will retain its positioning on third shirts into the 25/26 season, with the only difference being that adidas are looking set to increase their elite team roster from five to 10 teams. That means the likes of AS Roma, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Celtic and newly signed Liverpool would line up alongside Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern and Juventus with the Trefoil on their chests.
Adding to the excitement, it's also been reported that the Trefoil logo will be used on adidas’s away shirts for the 2026 World Cup. This marks a significant evolution, as it will be the first time in decades that the Trefoil features on tournament kits at the highest level. The move not only cements the logo’s renaissance but also sets the stage for a World Cup where history and modernity collide in spectacular fashion.
The Trefoil isn’t just making a comeback—it’s reclaiming its place in football’s visual lexicon. More than just a symbol of adidas Originals, it represents the fusion of history, culture, and performance. By reintroducing it on international kits, adidas acknowledges that heritage isn’t just something to be preserved—it’s something to be celebrated and woven into the fabric of the modern game.
For fans and players alike, the Trefoil isn’t just about looking back—it’s about carrying a legacy forward. And with its growing presence on elite kits, this is one revival that feels right at home on the global stage.
First Colombia, then Argentina. Mexico, we're watching...
