Long-sleeved jersey: 1996/97 season Argentina home kit

The 1996/97 season marked a crucial phase in Argentina's preparations for the 1998 World Cup, with the team demonstrating formidable competitiveness across international friendlies and South American qualifiers. Led by the formidable “God of War” Gabriel Batistuta, the attack operated at full throttle. Batistuta delivered multiple decisive goals in the qualifiers, becoming the team's primary goal-scoring threat. The midfield, anchored by Diego Simeone and Juan Carlos Almeyda, demonstrated remarkable resilience in transition play, while the agile wing play of Juan Manuel Ortega provided crucial attacking impetus. During this period, the team faced powerhouses like Brazil and Germany. Despite occasional fluctuations, they steadily advanced through the South American qualifiers, securing their World Cup spot early. Batistuta's thunderous strikes and the team's seamless collective play became iconic hallmarks of 1990s Argentine football.
Continuing Argentina's iconic blue-and-white vertical stripes as the primary visual, the long-sleeve design adapts to multi-season tournament scenarios. The minimalist crew neck features delicate binding for comfortable wear that aligns with retro aesthetics. The Argentine Football Association crest on the chest employs three-dimensional embroidery for substantial texture, while the adidas logo appears in classic heat-transfer printing, complementing the stripe background. Crafted from a traditional 90s cotton-blend sports fabric, it delivers breathability and a nostalgic texture. The stripe widths meticulously replicate the original design, while the minimalist cuff closure ensures freedom of movement and accentuates the retro aesthetic, collectively evoking the classic feel of 90s football gear.
It embodies the tangible memory of Argentina's golden generation of footballers from the 90s, carrying the competitive spirit of stars like Batistuta and Simeone and the team's passionate style. For fans, owning this jersey means preserving Argentina's attacking football philosophy and team spirit—a vital link to that glittering era of the sport. From a collector's perspective, its authentic 90s design aligns with the retro football gear trend, serving as a significant artifact of Argentina's transitional period in football. It holds dual value: as an emotional keepsake and a market-worthy collectible.