Atletico Madrid and Nike have opted for a more understated approach with the club’s new 26/27 third kit, and the result is one of the strongest alternative shirts the club has worn in recent years.
Drawing inspiration from classic Nike templates of the 1990s, the new Atletico Madrid 26/27 third shirt design pairs bold horizontal stripes with a muted ‘Light Pumice’ grey base. Running across the shirt, those stripes arrive in Atletico’s traditional colours, with dark navy ‘Obsidian’ and ‘Salsa Red’ providing a familiar connection to the club’s identity.
What makes this shirt work so well is its balance. The grey base softens the overall look while still allowing Atletico’s iconic red and blue to take centre stage. It’s also a notable return for the colourway, with grey appearing on an Atletico third shirt for the third time in the last 12 years.
There’s a clear retro influence throughout, but Nike has resisted the temptation to overcomplicate things. Instead, subtle heritage details and a clean execution make this a perfect example of the "less is more" approach. Classic colours, a smart base choice, and a nod to the past combine to deliver a third kit that feels both fresh and unmistakably Atletico. Simply put, this is a third kit done right.
Shop 26/27 replica at prodirectsport.com/soccer
