9 Greatest Soccer Shirt Sponsors Of All-time

Within the realms of world soccer, select sponsors that once adorned a club’s shirt have since become synonymous with their periods of success and legendary players. 

Here are the 9 greatest soccer shirt sponsors of all time.

9. Opel (AC Milan)

Opel is a huge name in the world of German car manufacturing. They sponsored AC Milan for a total of 12 seasons from 1994 to 2006. Some of the most famous players to wear the shirt sponsor include the likes of Paolo Maldini, Andrey Shevchenko, and Brazilian icon Kaka. 

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8. Sharp (Manchester United)

Japanese company Sharp remains a global player in Electronics. They became sponsors of Manchester United in 1982 for 18 seasons until the year 2000. A host of notable players wore the shirt sponsor such as long-serving club captain Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, and David Beckham. 

7. UNICEF (Barcelona)

UNICEF is a gigantic charity organization supporting disadvantaged children worldwide. Although they ‘sponsored’ Barcelona, the Spanish side in fact paid UNICEF $1.5 million per year for five seasons from 2006 to 2011. Amongst the most noteworthy players to don the sponsor were Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, and Andres Iniesta.

6. Carlsberg (Liverpool)

Danish Brewers Carlsberg is amongst the world leaders in the production of Lager. Their sponsorship of Liverpool began in 1992 and ran for 18 whole seasons until 2010. A wealth of talented players wore the shirt sponsor including superstar striker Robbie Fowler, Captain Steven Gerrard, and Fernando Torres. 

5. Quilmes (Boca Junior)

Quilmes is a historic brand in the brewing of Argentinian Pale Ale. They sponsored Boca Juniors for a total of eight seasons from 1994 to 2002. Some of the most famous players to wear the shirt sponsor include a young Diego Maradona, Juan Riquelme, and Carlos Tevez.

4. Newcastle Brown Ale (Newcastle United)

Northern English brand Newcastle Brown Ale is one of the country’s finest breweries. They became sponsors of Newcastle United in 1995 for a full five seasons up until 2000. A number of notable players wore the shirt sponsor such as David Ginola, Les Ferdinand, and all-time highest goalscorer Alan Shearer. 

3. Pirelli (Inter Milan)

Italian company Pirelli is a colossus within tire manufacturing. They sponsored Inter Milan for a total of 16 seasons from 1995 to 2021. Some of the most famous players to wear the shirt sponsor include Cristian Vieri, Javier Zanetti, and Brazilian Ronaldo in his prime. 

2. Philips (PSV)

Founded in 1913, Dutch Electronics veterans Philips have taken their place within the Guinness Book of World Records as providing the longest sponsorship of a sports team in history. They became sponsors of PSV in 1979 which continued for a mammoth 37 seasons until 2016. A host of notable players wore the shirt sponsor such as Jaap Stam, Mark van Bommel, and Romario. 

1. Mars (Napoli)

Even today, Mars is a household name in the niche of chocolate confectionery. They sponsored Serie A team Napoli for three seasons from 1988 to 1991 including their league-winning season of 1990. Some of the most famous players to wear the shirt sponsor include both a youthful Gianfranco Zola and enigmatic Diego Maradona.