The Iconic Portugal Shirt - Luis Figo (2002–2004)

Before Ronaldo there was Figo.Elegant, confident and endlessly creative, Luis Figo was the heartbeat of Portugal’s golden generation, a player who made the number 7 shirt iconic long before it was passed to CR7.

This week’s feature dives into the Portugal home shirt from 2002 to 2004, a design that captured the country’s pride and defined an era on and off the pitch.

The Shirt

Nike’s 2002–2004 home kit for Portugal is one of the most instantly recognisable designs of the early 2000s.A deep crimson red forms the base, contrasted by rich gold detailing around the collar and cuffs. The cut was sleek and athletic, with subtle piping following the shoulder lines, built for movement, but made to stand out.

The round neckline with a small V notch gave it a refined look, while the embroidered crest and golden Nike swoosh completed a design that felt both traditional and modern.

Worn across Euro 2004, this shirt symbolised pride, hope and heartbreak for a generation of Portuguese fans.

Euro 2004 — Pride and Pain

Portugal hosted Euro 2004 with expectation at its highest. The squad was loaded: Figo, Rui Costa, Deco, Pauleta, Carvalho and a teenage Cristiano Ronaldo.

For Figo, this was the chance to deliver silverware on home soil.He led with calm authority, dictating play with maturity rather than pure flair. That semi-final win against the Netherlands remains one of his finest international performances.

But the final against Greece ended differently. A night built for celebration turned to silence. Despite the heartbreak, this shirt became a symbol of belief — proof that Portugal could compete with Europe’s elite.

The Legacy

Figo was more than a winger.He was the bridge between generations, the player who set the standard for what Portuguese football could be.Before Ronaldo there was Figo. The original number 7.

A Ballon d’Or winner in 2001, FIFA World Player of the Year, and one of the rare few to play for both Barcelona and Real Madrid at the highest level.But for Portugal, he represented pride, poise and excellence.

Every stitch of this shirt tells that story, the red for passion, the gold for class, and the number 7 for greatness.

For Collectors

The Portugal 2002–2004 home shirt remains one of the most sought-after Nike designs of its era, timeless, wearable, and loaded with history.

This exact shirt is available now through Kitdrop.

100% authentic and in excellent condition.

Read the full story, watch the full In The Shirt video on the Kitdrop YouTube channel, and sign up for the newsletter to be first in line for the next drop.