Celebrating the cult status of Diego Maradona and the special relationship that he shared with the club, Umbro and Newell’s Old Boys have unveiled a limited edition third shirt for the 21/22 season, which is inspired by a painting given to the legendary player back in 2019.
There aren’t many players in the history of the game that could only play five games for a club, and yet enjoy cult status amongst the fans as a result. One such – and perhaps the only, if we’re being honest – was Diego Maradona. Maradona signed for Newell’s Old Boys in 1993 and although he only played five official games in the red and black of La Lepra, he etched his name into the history of club by making the choice to sign for Newell’s when other, perhaps more lucrative, options were available.
It goes someway to explaining the reception he got in one of his last crossing’s with the club, when on 29 October, 2019, Maradona visited Estadio Marcelo A. Bielsa as a coach of Gimnasia. As well as being sat on a throne, he was showered with gifts, and among them was a work made by the artist Andrés Mariani. And it is this that forms the inspiration for the limited edition 21/22 Newell’s Old Boys third shirt.
The design follows the same half-and-half look of the home shirt, with the traditional red and black combined in a graphic print in the style of the painting. On the nape of the neck is a special stamp with the Umbro logo and the lettering "Sangre Leprosa”.
The kit was debuted on 16 September in a match against River Plate. Sadly the shirt didn’t quite inspire any Maradona-esque performances from the side as they slumped to a 4-1 defeat. Hopefully better to come for what is a uniquely sublime shirt design.
The Newell's Old Boys 21/22 third shirt is available at newells-store.com
