Red football teams: A list of the 10 best football teams that wear red

Red football teams: A list of the 10 best football teams that wear red

Lenah Ann
April 21, 2023 at 9:31 AM
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Red has been associated with fierceness, power, winning, love, passion, strength, desire, and fire for years. And consequently, it does not come as a surprise that most red football teams are the greatest clubs in the world. Although some of these teams' jerseys are predominantly red, some gravitate to other colours that complement them, such as yellow, green, and black.

All-red football teams
The Arsenal team line up for the penalty shoot out during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg 2 match against Sporting CP on 16 March 2023 in London, England. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
Source: Getty Images

Great soccer clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have been wearing red home jerseys for centuries. From a psychological point of view, the colour helps to boost the confidence of the players as well as that of the fans.

Top 10 best red football teams

Clubs wear the colour red for various reasons. Some say it is because it is part of their clubs' flag, logo, or theme, while others want to be perennial winners since the colour is attributed to winning. According to various online sources, here is a list of the top 10 best red football teams worldwide.

10. Clube de Regatas do Flamengo

Red football teams
Players of Flamengo pose for a team photo during the Carioca Championship 2023 final match against Fluminense FC at Maracana Stadium on 9 April 2023 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: MB Media
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1895
  • Nickname(s): Big 'Mengo, Vulture, The Evil One
  • Main league: Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Brazil
  • Coach: Jorge Sampaoli (as of 2023)

The Rio de Janeiro-based club, CR Flamengo, is one of the best red football teams in Brazil and the world. It is known for playing in two main leagues, the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A and the Campeonato, with a red and white home jersey.

The club has been successful in the past decade and has won several titles in its main leagues, including the Copa do Brasil, the Supercopa do Brasil, Recopa Sudamericana, and the Copa Libertadores.

9. Nottingham Forest

All-red football teams
The Nottingham Forest team line up for a photo prior to the kick off during the friendly match against Valencia CF at Mestalla Stadium on 16 December 2022 in Valencia, Spain. Photo: Manuel Queimadelos
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1865
  • Nickname(s): Forest, Tricky Trees, The Reds, The Garibaldi
  • Main league: English Premier League, England
  • Coach: Steve Cooper (as of 2023)

Nottingham Forest is among the red and white football teams respected in English football history. After years of struggling to regain their nearly lost glory, the club re-joined England's top league in the 2022/23 season.

Alongside Manchester United and Liverpool, the club has one of the oldest and rich histories when it comes to winning the UEFA Champions League. In the seventies, it ranked as one of the best in the EPL and consequently took home the 1977/78 season's title.

8. Al Ahly SC

  • Year established: 1907
  • Nickname(s): Club of Patriotism, the Red Giant, the Red Devils, the Club of the Century
  • Main league: Egyptian Premier League, Egypt
  • Coach: Marcel Koller (as of 2023)

Al Ahly is one of Egypt's clubs that competes in its top league. It is often deemed the best in the country, the African continent, and the world due to its successful streak in domestic and international competitions.

Traditionally, the club has always worn red jerseys in all home competitions that it has participated in, and in doing so, it has entered the list of red and white football teams worldwide.

The club has won several titles across several leagues, including the Egyptian Premier League, CAF Champions League and the Egyptian Super Cup, and FA Cup, and ranks as one of the best in the world in terms of trophies won.

7. AFC Ajax

Black and red football teams
Ajax players pose for a photo prior to the UEFA Champions League group A match against Liverpool FC at Johan Cruyff Arena on 26 October 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1900
  • Nickname(s): Sons of the Gods, the Jews
  • Main league: Eredivisie, Netherlands
  • Coach: John Heitinga (as of 2023)

Ajax FC has been among the best-performing football clubs in the Netherlands and the world for over a century. Since 1911, it has worn red jerseys in all home competitions and has been exceptional in domestic and international tournaments.

The club is one of the best red and white football teams that have consistently given their all over the past decades.

6. SL Benfica

All-red football teams
Players of SL Benfica pose for a team photo prior to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg match against FC Internazionale on 11 April 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Photo: Fran Santiago
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1904
  • Nickname(s): The Eagles, the Reds, the Glorious One
  • Main league: Primeira Liga, Portugal
  • Coach: Roger Schmidt (as of 2023)

Most great and talented players from Portugal have played for the legendary Benfica at some point in their careers. The clubs' red shirt is recognised globally following the clubs' dominance of over two decades in the 60s and 70s.

Although only a few alterations have been made to the shirt since 1905, the club has maintained the same colour and design.

5. FC Bayern Munich

Red football teams in England
Players of Bayern Munich pose for a team photo prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 2nd leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain FC on 8 March 2023 in Munich, southern Germany. Photo: Odd Andersen
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1900
  • Nickname(s): The FCB, The Bavarians, Star of the South, The Reds
  • Main league: Bundesliga, Germany
  • Coach: Thomas Tuchel (as of 2023)

Bayern Munich is one of the world's all-red football teams. That said, it is also one of the best in Europe and the most outstanding club in Germany, with numerous titles. The club is widely known for its all-red kit, which has undoubtedly given them the morale to outshine their opponents.

4. Arsenal FC

Red and white football teams in the UK
Arsenal players pose for a team photo prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match against Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on 16 March 2023 in London, England. Photo: Mike Hewitt
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1886
  • Nickname(s): The Gunners
  • Main league: English Premier League, England
  • Coach: Mikel Arteta (as of 2023)

Since England's top-tier league was founded, Arsenal has never seen relegation. As one of the best red and white football teams in the UK, the club has been producing incredible results and has bagged several major trophies from various leagues in which it has taken part.

As of 2023, the Gunners kits are supplied by Adidas, one of the world's major sports suppliers. Although the club was not in its best shape over the past few years, with their new coach and young signings, it is clear that they have a bright future.

3. AC Milan

  • Year established: 1899
  • Nickname(s): The Red and Blacks, the Devil
  • Main league: Serie A, Italy
  • Coach: Paolo Scaroni (as of 2023)

AC Milan is among the many black and red football teams that have enjoyed great success in soccer. The club's most outstanding achievement is winning the Champions League title 7 times and the Serie A 19 times, which is no ordinary task.

To be the champions they are today, AC Milan invested in signing some of the best talents in the football world, such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and its efforts bore fruits.

2. Manchester United

Best red football teams
Players of Manchester United pose for a team photo prior to the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal first leg match against Sevilla FC on 13 April 2023 in Manchester, England. Photo: Catherine Ivill
Source: Getty Images
  • Year established: 1878
  • Nickname(s): United, Red Devils
  • Main league: English Premier League, England
  • Coach: Eric Ten Hag (as of 2023)

Second on the list is one of the best red football teams in England, Manchester United. The club is associated with the longest winning streak in its league history and, in doing so, harbouring the most trophies.

With their well known jersey, the club has the most significant number of fans in England and globally and was once a nightmare to their opponents.

1. Liverpool FC

  • Year established: 1892
  • Nickname(s): The Reds
  • Main league: English Premier League, England
  • Coach: Jurgen Klopp (as of 2023)

Topping the list is Liverpool with their famous and dominant all-red kit. The legendary team has worn its kits since 1964, and over the years, it has added numerous trophies to its cabinet and consequently dominated over other clubs.

The renowned football team has taken home 19 Premier Leagues and 6 Champions League titles over the past years. There is a lot to see from Liverpool in the future, and as of 2023, they rank as one of the best in the world.

Blue and red football teams
The Liverpool FC team line up for a photo prior to the kick off during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match against Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 15 March 2023 in Madrid, Spain. Photo: Mateo Villalba
Source: Getty Images

Blue and red football teams

Worldwide, some famous football teams wear blue and white kits, such as FC Barcelona and Crystal Palace, to mention a few. The former clubs' colours are among the most famous in the world, and the latter is renowned in England.

Has Chelsea ever worn red?

The Blues wore an all-red kit during the 1985/86 season, and the gears were the only ones that never saw the public market.

What year did Liverpool start wearing red?

Liverpool started to wear all-red gear in 1964 after a decision by their then-manager, Bill Shankly. He replaced the white shorts with their current red ones and, in doing so, he created the kit that is being used today.

When did Man City wear red and black?

Manchester City wore red and black striped jerseys in 1968 alongside black shorts and socks. The kit became one of the club's most popular.

What football team has red and white stripes?

Sunderland has dominantly used red and white striped kits since 1887. Although some might think otherwise, the famous England club played with an all-blue kit at some point in history.

Out of all colours, red has always stood out, and it is with no surprise that most teams involve it not only in their jersey but also in their shorts and socks. Most of the red football teams have seen great success both at home and abroad, and although some of them have gone through a rough patch, there is hope that they will rise to glory.

READ ALSO: Who are the top 20 best strikers in the world? Profiles, stats, more

Sports Brief has published an article ranking the top 20 best strikers in the world as of 2023. Aside from being famous and highly paid, the best strikers in the soccer world are also known to carry the team with their unmatched highly scoring abilities.

With the help of world-class midfielders and defenders, strikers have always held power to change the outcomes of a match. Click the link above for more details about the top 20 best strikers worldwide.

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Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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