1997 Season Mexico Away Retro Kit

At the 1997 Copa América in Bolivia, the Mexican national team competed wearing this kit. In the group stage, they defeated Colombia 2-1, suffered a narrow 2-3 loss to Brazil, and drew 1-1 with Costa Rica, advancing as group runners-up. In the knockout stage, they defeated Ecuador 4-3 on penalties. They fell 1-3 to host Bolivia in the semifinals but ultimately claimed third place by defeating Peru 1-0 in the third-place match. Forward Hernández scored six goals to win the tournament's Golden Boot, while Blanco's “frog leap” dribble dazzled the crowd. The team made history by securing third place as a special invitee.
The jersey, crafted by local brand ABA Sport, features a white base adorned with Aztec calendar stones and feathered serpent motifs, etching millennia of civilization onto the fabric. The crisp, retro white polo collar with red trim, paired with the bold “MEXICO” lettering and national team crest on the chest, embodies a daring, avant-garde design—a pinnacle of 1990s football apparel culture.
For fans, it embodies both the glory of Mexico's Copa América bronze medal and cultural pride, carrying the legacy of Hernández's Golden Boot triumph and Blanco's technical mastery. As ABA Sport's artistic swan song, this jersey embodies both rarity and national symbolism. It stands as a prized piece in retro jersey collections, epitomizing “football as culture,” and serves as a vital testament to Mexico's golden era of soccer in the 1990s.