Inter Milan’s famous black-and-blue stripes are heading for yet another European test. Tomorrow, as Simone Inzaghi’s men take on Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final (31 May 2025), it’s worth taking a stroll through more than a century of kit history.
On 9 March 1908, a handful of AC Milan players gathered at the “L’Avvenire Sportivo” café and decided to form a new club, open to players of any nationality. Giorgio Muggiani, a founding member and amateur designer, took inspiration from the night sky, combining deep black with a vivid blues. From day one, the stripes were as much a political statement as a fashion choice: a nod to internationalism in an era when borders meant everything.
The kit held its colours through the First World War and into the 1920s, but in 1928, Mussolini’s regime ordered a switch to a plain white shirt bearing Milan’s red cross. Fan unrest was swift, and within a year the Nerazzurri name and colours were restored, reminding everyone that tradition can prove tougher than politics.
By the 1950s, stripes narrowed to slim bands, cotton fabrics replaced the heavier wool of pre-war days, and a neat white collar added a touch of class. There were no sponsors, no flashy logos, just a modest “FCIM” monogram over the heart and the promise of more silverware.
Fast-forward to 1995, and Inter secured what would become football’s longest-running shirt deal: Pirelli’s bright yellow logo on the chest. Under Nike’s supervision, the design team experimented with stripe widths, sometimes three black slats sandwiching two blue, sometimes vice versa, creating a sense of movement that matched the club’s attacking ethos. Technical advances followed: moisture-wicking fibres, mesh panels for better ventilation, even laser-cut holes around the crest.
In 2008, the club celebrated its 100th birthday with a limited-edition kit trimmed in gold. Each stripe was edged with metallic thread; the chest wore an embroidered “1908-2008” crest. Players like Javier Zanetti and Marco Materazzi wore it not just as a uniform, but as a wearable archive, connecting modern supporters with Inter’s storied past.
As kick-off approaches in Munich, those stripes will carry more than just colour. They’ll bear the weight of 117 years of identity, innovation and above all, inclusivity. Win or lose, tomorrow’s shirt will join a long line of iterations, each one telling the story of a club that, from its humble café origins, still believes football is a game without borders.
To explore the story behind the kits of Inter Milan’s opponents tomorrow, PSG, click here: The Origin of PSG’s Iconic Red and Blue Kit: History & Style