Sports
Rating 2025’s Christmas sweaters from top soccer teams
Christmas is just around the corner, which means that many clubs in the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 have stocked their official stores with Yuletide knitwear.
The Christmas sweater used to be a bit of an afterthought for the big clubs, with many content to merely offer fans a cheap acrylic pullover or two. However, times have changed and the game has most definitely been upped in recent years.
All the usual seasonal staples — Santa Claus, reindeer, snowflakes, wreaths, etc. — have been rolled out for the occasion. But 2025 has seen an influx of designs based on 1990s retro kits, such is the appetite for the gaudy shirts of yesteryear, many of which lend themselves perfectly to being transformed into ugly woolen jumpers.
We have hunted through the virtual racks of clubs’ online stores, perusing the wide range of festive fashion provided by Europe’s elite teams in order to pick out the best (and worst) of the designs on offer this year.
Milan have produced a suitably seasonable jumper in white, the upper two-thirds of which is festooned with a Nordic pattern made up of fir trees and quirky little gnomes. Unfortunately, the Italian side set a high benchmark with a debonaire “Rossoneri tartan” design, which was first released last year, and the 2025 model slightly pales in comparison.
Based on the club’s classic home shirt from 2005-06, their final season at their old Highbury stadium, Arsenal’s retro-inspired Christmas sweater is a vision in redcurrant and gold. The theme is “Walking in a Highbury Wonderland” and features a plethora of tasteful festive flourishes — the highlight being the faux Premier League patches on the sleeves, with the emblem of a roaring lion being reimagined as a reindeer.
With the club crest affixed proudly to the chest, Atleti’s navy jumper is centered around a triangular tree made up from the letters of their famous “Aúpa Atleti” chant. It’s simple, cheerful, colorful and is also available in pajama form should you really wish to hunker down and get ultra-cozy this Christmas.
Barcelona have handed a Christmas jumper debut to the Catalan club’s new mascot, a cat called “Cat,” who was formally unveiled last November. While Cat does appear to be choking on an old leather football that has become lodged in its throat, we are assured that the frisky feline remains “charismatic, demanding and enthusiastic about supporting the club.”
We’ve seen the old “elf’s head” trick attempted many times before but rarely with such panache, and this time there is actually a reason behind it. The theme is a pleasing play on words, the joke being that the German side are nicknamed “Die Werkself” (which roughly translates into English as the “factory team”), with “elf” being German for the No. 11.
Understated stuff from Bayern this year, with the Bundesliga giants eschewing the usual gaudy Christmas fare in favor of a relatively refined design. The deep green base, gold embroidering and patterned raglan sleeves are — for reasons unknown — supposed to make it look like you’re out wearing a t-shirt in the depths of the Bavarian winter.
Despite a reputation for wild kits, Dortmund have played their 2025 yuletide sweater with a straight bat. This simple snowflake pattern comes in muted white, black and yellow tones. The sweater does form part of a wider collection, with gloves, scarves, hats and socks all available in the same design. However, the real star of the show is the “Winter Wonderland” baseball cap, which features tree decorations all over it and even has a little gingerbread man on the peak.
What better source of inspiration for an ugly sweater than one of the ugliest football shirts ever created? We are of course referring to Celtic’s infamously garish away kit from 1991-92, the zigzag pattern of which has been given a festive twist with the addition of snow-capped mountains, blizzards and leaping reindeer. It’s absolutely horrendous, in the best way possible.
Another Christmas sweater modelled on a cult classic away kit from the 1990s, Chelsea have followed suit by basing their design on their custard yellow abomination from 1996-98. The original jersey has been faithfully re-created using festive ornamentation, but with “Santa Claus” across the midriff as a replacement for the old sponsor’s logo is a fantastic finishing touch.
Hoping to tap into the lucrative après-ski market, Inter have toned things right down this year with a mountain skyline scene that goes all the way around the base of the jumper and the words “Inter Milano” scrolled across the chest. Perfect for relaxing by the open fire in your Alpine ski chalet while cradling a warm tankard of mulled limoncello.
About as un-Christmassy as a Christmas sweater gets, Juve have gone retro with a blue and yellow design based loosely on their fan-favorite 1996-98 away kit. The yellow stars on the shoulders have been replaced with snowflakes but, other than that, there’s not much more evident in the way of festive cheer.
Yep, you guessed it — another retro offering, this time in homage to Liverpool’s home kit of the late 1980s. The old pointy geometric pattern has been replaced by Christmas trees but it still feels like a fairly half-hearted effort. There is room for improvement.
With a couple of options to choose from, City fans can either go for a novelty elf design or this club crest Fairisle pattern. Both are firmly on the generic side, but the lively colors and oversized graphics of the latter just about elevate it above the rest of the club’s underwhelming Christmas range.
Man United always keep it bright and breezy when it comes to their official Yuletide attire. The Red Devils have a lively pun-based design in which Santa performs a joyful, Robin van Persie-esque knee slide on the Old Trafford pitch along with a play on the title of Chris Rea’s seasonal classic song “Driving Home for Christmas.”
Napoli are still proudly lauding the fact they are reigning champions of Serie A and have even allowed the sentiment to roll over into their festive selection. Designed by Emporio Armani, the Partenopei’s sweater is a fairly straightforward sky blue Fairisle pattern but with the addition of a giant Scudetto front and center — and who can blame them for wanting to show it off?
Newcastle actually released this black and white Fairisle sweater, with the city’s unmistakable skyline in silhouette stretched across the front and “Ho’way the Lads” on the back, last Christmas. But we’re featuring it again because now there is also a matching version for dogs. Perfect for a night watching coach Eddie Bow-wow’s team play at St James’ Bark.
PSG tend to be a bit hit and miss when it comes to their Christmas knitwear, fluctuating from ultra-stylish to uber-tacky from year to year. They’ve landed somewhere in the middle for 2025 with what could have been a perfectly acceptable Eiffel Tower knit pattern. However, the European champions then went and overlaid it with the giant head of a shades-wearing, Viking-bearded Santa Claus character. We’ve no idea what they were going for, but they missed the mark.
Sumptuous stuff from RB Leipzig here with an extra-chunky knit sweater that wouldn’t look out of place around the table in the music video for Wham’s “Last Christmas.” The colors work well, the cable knit is wonderful, the simplistic club crest design is incredibly chic. And the best part? There’s even a matching bobble hat to complete the ensemble.
Real Madrid are another big club who have made a habit of laying on a full range of Christmas jumpers for fans, though the majority of this year’s designs have been rolled over from 2024. New to the portfolio is this playful little scene in polyester, which features a snowboarding penguin on his way from the North Pole to the Bernabéu.
German side St Pauli are famed for their anarcho-punk ethos, though their skull and crossbones emblem does look slightly off-kilter dotted all over a Christmas sweater. Still, we like the monochrome design, and it would be absolutely perfect for anybody preparing to spend the holidays aboard a 17th Century pirate galleon.
Spurs were ahead of the curve in the retro kit race after releasing a cracker last Christmas that was inspired by the indigo away shirt of 1994-95 made memorable by Jurgen Klinsmann’s spell at White Hart Lane. The club have gone back to the well this year with a snow white jumper that bears the hallmarks of their 1997-99 home kit, complete with era-appropriate snowflake sleeve taping.
The only Premier League side to fully embrace the chintzy spirit of the season, Wolves have cooked up what they are calling their “Jingle-Jangle Light Up Christmas Jumper.” It comes with old gold knitted patterns, wolf heads and real blinking fairy lights built into the sweater itself. Merry *and* bright.
Images courtesy of acmilan.com, arsenal.com, atleticodemadrid.com, bayer04.de, bvb.de, celticfc.com, chelseamegastore.com, fcbarcelona.com, fcbayern.com, fcsp-shop.com, inter.it, juventus.com, liverpoolfc.com, mancity.com, manutd.com, newcastleunited.com, psg.fr, realmadrid.com, redbullshop.com, sscnapoli.com, tottenhamhotspur.com, wolves.co.uk
Should the Patriots be underdogs in Super Bowl LX? | The Herd
The New England Patriots are 4.5 point underdogs to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, and Patriots HC Mike Vrabel responded to the odds, saying that “our record speaks for itself”. Colin Cowherd asks if the Seahawks should be favored over the…
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A celebrity power couple is present in Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, as New England Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs and rapper Cardi B are hoping Sunday night is filled with celebration at Levi’s Stadium.
Diggs and Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, have been enjoying this playoff run, as the veteran receiver finally got a shot at winning a Super Bowl ring in his 11th NFL season.
But that’s the only ring that matters right now, as he was asked a specific question about his relationship during Super Bowl media availability on Monday night.
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Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots looks on during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“After you get a ring, is Cardi getting her ring?” a media member questioned Diggs at the podium.
With a laugh, Diggs gave his response.
“It’s on the agenda maybe, right? Right?” he said. “I gotta get mine first, though.”
CARDI B GOES AFTER ESPN STARS WHO PICKED PATRIOTS TO LOSE TO TEXANS: ‘THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US’
Cardi B has been a true fan of the Patriots, especially after their Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. She saw that ESPN panelists all chose the Texans to beat the Patriots in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium, and she let them hear it with a social media video after the game.
“THEY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN US!!! I LIKE US!!!!! WE ALL WE GOT!!!!! WE ALL WE NEED !!!! #PATSNATION,” she captioned her video on X.
Rapper Cardi B acknowledges the crowd during the game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Nov. 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Cardi B confirmed she was dating Diggs in September, and she’s been spotted at Gillette Stadium several times with the other wives and girlfriends of Patriots players as well as team owner Robert Kraft. They also had a child together in November.
Cardi B is expected to be at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, cheering on Diggs this Sunday, and he will be a focal point for the Patriots.
Diggs has had modest production this postseason, tallying just 73 yards on 11 receptions with one touchdown across three games.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during Super Bowl LX Opening Night at San Jose McEnery Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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But he was the team’s leader in receiving yards this regular season, building quick chemistry with Maye and earning 1,013 yards on a team-high 85 receptions with four touchdowns.
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Ukraine’s sports minister has said FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s bid to lift a ban on Russia competing at youth level are “irresponsible” and “infantile.”
Infantino said the ban on Russia competing, which was imposed by FIFA and UEFA after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, should “definitely” be lifted, “at least at youth level.”
Infantino added on Sky News that the ban had “not achieved anything” and “created more frustration, and hatred.”
“Having girls and boys from Russia being able to play football games in other parts of Europe would help,” the Swiss said.
Matvii Bidnyi, Ukraine’s sports minister, said on Tuesday: “Gianni Infantino’s words sound irresponsible — not to say infantile. They detach football from the reality in which children are being killed.
“Let me remind you that since the start of Russia’s full-scale aggression, more than 650 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russians.
“Among them were more than 100 footballers. One example is Illia Perezhogin, a 10th-grade student at a Mariupol school, who was simply playing football at his school stadium when a Russian missile struck.
“Former futsal player Viktoriia Kotliarova was killed together with her mother during the shelling of Kyiv on Dec. 29, 2023. She was a Kyiv Student Futsal Cup champion and a winner of the Dynamo Student League tournament.
“War is a crime, not politics. It is Russia that politicises sport and uses it to justify aggression. I share the position of the Ukrainian Association of Football, which also warns against Russia’s return to international competitions.
“As long as Russians continue killing Ukrainians and politicising sport, their flag and national symbols have no place among people who respect values such as justice, integrity, and fair play.”
On Dec. 17 the FIFA Council announced plans for a new U15 festival, with a boys’ event to be staged next year and a girls’ event in 2027. That followed a recommendation from the Olympic Summit for international sports federations to allow Russian teams and athletes to compete under their national flag at youth level.
A media release confirming the FIFA Council’s decisions said the events would “be open to all 211 FIFA member associations.”
Speaking on Boxing Day last year, the Russian Football Union president Alexander Dyukov said: “We expect that next year, following the IOC [recommendation], international football regulators will make decisions that will allow our teams to participate in official international competitions.
“We hope that, taking into account the IOC recommendations, a way will be found to include our teams in the appropriate groups at the next draw. We also expect similar decisions from FIFA.
“The contacts and communications that have taken place indicate that FIFA and UEFA view the IOC’s decision positively, although it is not binding on them.”
Dyukov said he intended to attend next week’s UEFA Congress in Brussels, which would be “an opportunity to discuss our return.”
Senior figures within the administration of European football spoken to by the Press Association remain sceptical around the lifting of the ban in practical terms even at youth level, amid fears other teams would simply refuse to line up against Russia until a lasting political settlement is reached to end the conflict.
Interest in Cristiano Ronaldo is already heating up in Europe and MLS, with Manchester United linked, while Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all interested in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Interest in Cristiano Ronaldo is already heating up in Europe and MLS, according to TEAMtalk. Ronaldo, 40, refused to play for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League side’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh, as sources told ESPN he is unhappy about the way the league conducted the Karim Benzema transfer to Al Hilal. The Manchester Evening News has linked the Portugal international with a return to Manchester United, while several other big clubs in Europe are willing to reshape their sporting projects to sign him.
– Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all interested in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to The Sun. Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the Italy international and wants to pair him with Declan Rice in the Gunners’ midfield. The Gunners were even alerted to a possible move on deadline day, but it went nowhere. City boss Pep Guardiola is also a big fan of the 25-year-old and his Magpies teammate Tino Livramento, while Chelsea are monitoring Tonali. However, he and his wife are reported to be happy in the North East and he isn’t actively looking for an exit.
– Marcus Rashford has no intention of returning to Manchester United when his loan spell at Barcelona expires this summer, according to The Mirror. The Blaugrana have an option to permanently sign him for €30 million and the 28-year-old wants his future sorted before the 2026 World Cup begins. United’s interim head coach Michael Carrick would try to persuade the Red Devils academy graduate to stay if he becomes head coach full-time, but Rashford has already told Barca that he wants to stay at Camp Nou and would find another club instead of returning to Old Trafford if an agreement isn’t reached.
– Bayern Munich are in advanced talks to sign Charlotte FC and U.S. U20 winger Nimfasha Berchimas, as reported by The Athletic. The two clubs didn’t have to worry about Germany’s transfer deadline as they are working on a pre-agreed deal for the summer, as Berchimas only turns 18 at the end of this month so can’t be registered for a German club yet. There could be another U.S. youth international moving to Europe in the summer, as Tom Bogert reports that Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are showing a strong interest in 18-year-old Real Salt Lake striker Zavier Gozo.
– Juventus will make a move to sign Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer after the striker stayed on loan at Tottenham Hotspur this January, as reported by Calciomercato. Juve tried until the very end of the transfer window to bring back the 27-year-old, who also wanted a return to the Serie A giants, but Spurs insisted on keeping the France international as they couldn’t find an affordable alternative. It will take at least €50 million to sign him permanently, but Juve will need to seal a departure for Loïs Openda to meet that figure.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Mark Ogden looks at the future for Cristiano Ronaldo if he leaves Saudi Arabia.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 41st birthday on Thursday, but his incredible longevity and goal-scoring ability is why there will be plenty of clubs willing to sign the former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward if he seeks a move away from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.
There will be clubs who want him, and clubs who can afford him. And there will also be the crucial factor of being able to offer Ronaldo the chance to break the 1,000 career goal mark — as he is now less then 50 goals away from that milestone.
So with all that considered, where could he go? Forget the speculation linking Ronaldo with a return to United for a third spell at Old Trafford. There is no good reason for that happen and it won’t. A move to MLS would be a serious option and open up the prospect of a “Last Dance” alongside Lionel Messi in the United States. If Ronaldo wants to move to the U.S., there is enough money in the country to make it happen, so don’t rule out the possibility of Ronaldo ending up in Los Angeles or New York.
But with Ronaldo earning a reported £177 million-a-year in Saudi Arabia, money will be perhaps the biggest factor, so any club, anywhere in the world, who will pay him a huge salary and give him a chance to hit 1,000 goals has a chance.
Only last week, Ronaldo’s former United and Portugal teammate Nani made a move to FC Aktobe in the Kazakhstan Premier League, and with the oil-rich country keen to boost its sporting profile, Ronaldo could even end up there. With him, almost anything is possible.
OTHER RUMORS
1:39
Has Crystal Palace’s transfer strategy let them down again?
James Olley examines the collapse of Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to AC Milan and what it says about Palace’s recruitment strategy.
– Real Madrid are monitoring Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez for the summer in case they have any major outgoings. (Caught Offside)
– Internazionale could move for Al Ittihad winger Moussa Diaby and Atalanta right back Marco Palestra (who is on loan at Cagliari) in the summer after being unable to complete January deals for either of them. (Calciomercato)
– Atalanta are open to continuing talks with Atletico Madrid about midfielder Ederson ahead of June, having refused to let the Brazil international leave in January. (Rudy Galetti)
– Jadon Sancho is looking at a summer return to the Bundesliga as it is unlikely that the winger will stay with Aston Villa when his loan from Manchester United expires. (Football Insider)
– Paris Saint-Germain are working on triggering a release clause to permanently sign Khalil Ayari, who is currently on loan from Stade Tunisien. (Footmercato)
– Center back Dayot Upamecano has agreed a contract extension with Bayern Munich. (Florian Plettenberg)
– A new meeting between Juventus and Kenan Yildiz‘s agent is expected in the coming days, with a five-year contract extension worth €6 million-per-year to be discussed. (Nicolo Schira)
– Sevilla are considering re-signing 39-year-old defender Sergio Ramos for a third stint. Ramos is a free agent after leaving Monterrey in December and the former Real Madrid star began his career at Sevilla before returning to the club 18 years later for the 2023-24 campaign. (Diario de Sevilla)
– Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca are expected to be on the three-man shortlist to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Como’s Cesc Fabregas is gaining admirers across Europe. (Telegraph)
– Marc-Andre ter Stegen will not return to Barcelona after sustaining an injury and will see out his loan with Girona, but the goalkeeper could do part of his recovery with the Blaugrana‘s medical staff. (Mundo Deportivo)
– And Girona could still sign free agent goalkeeper Ruben Blanco to replace the Germany international. (Sport)
– Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini will sign contract extensions in the coming days to stay with Roma until 2029. (Nicolo Schira)
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