It’s loud. It’s bright. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shock to the system if you’re used to the pristine, regal white that usually defines the Santiago Bernabéu. But the Real Madrid orange kit isn’t just a random color choice thrown at a wall by Adidas designers to see what sticks. It carries a heavy weight of superstition and history. If you’ve been following the club for a decade, you know exactly what I’m talking about—the ghost of La Décima.
Back in 2013, when the club first leaned into this vibrant citrus look, people were skeptical. It didn’t feel like Madrid. It felt like the Netherlands. Or maybe a high-visibility vest. But then things started happening on the pitch. Big things. Now, for the 2024/2025 season, the orange is back, and the hype is real because fans associate this specific shade with the most dominant era in modern European football.
The 2013 Connection: Why Everyone Obsesses Over the "Vibrant Orange"
You can’t talk about the new shirt without looking back at the 2013/14 third kit. That was the year. After twelve long, agonizing years of waiting for a tenth Champions League title, Carlo Ancelotti’s men finally did it in Lisbon. And while they didn't wear orange in the final against Atlético Madrid—they were in the classic white for that 4-1 comeback—they wore the orange throughout the campaign.
It became a symbol of that journey. Fans remember Cristiano Ronaldo tearing through defenses in that kit. They remember Gareth Bale’s debut season energy. It’s weird how a color can become a psychological safety blanket for a fan base, but here we are. When Adidas announced the 2024/2025 third kit would return to this palette, the "La Décima" vibes were the only thing anyone talked about on social media.
The current version isn't a direct carbon copy, though. It’s officially listed as "Crew Orange." It’s a bit deeper, a bit more sophisticated than the 2013 version, which felt almost neon under the floodlights. This one has a subtle tonal pattern. It’s a series of "RMCF" monograms—sorta like a luxury fashion house would do—abstracted into a zigzagging graphic. It’s busy, but it works.
Kylian Mbappé and the Commercial Explosion
Let’s be real for a second. The timing of the Real Madrid orange kit re-release isn't just about nostalgia. It’s about Kylian Mbappé.
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The club knew they were signing the biggest star in the world. They needed a kit that would pop on Instagram, TikTok, and in the storefronts of the Gran Vía. If you walk through Madrid today, you see a sea of orange jerseys with "MBAPPÉ 9" on the back. It’s a marketing masterstroke. The white home kit is a staple, sure, but collectors want the "away" or "third" kits because they represent a specific moment in time.
The demand has been ridiculous. Reports from retail analysts suggest that the third kit sales for 2024 are significantly outperforming the black and gold or purple iterations from previous years. People want the bright stuff. Maybe it’s because it stands out in a crowd, or maybe it’s because it feels like a new era starting with a nod to the past. Whatever the reason, Adidas is laughing all the way to the bank.
Design Specs: What’s Actually New?
If you look closely at the collar, it’s a simple V-neck. No buttons this time. No "Polo" style like we saw on the home kit. The "Carbon" (which is basically a very dark grey/black) accents on the collar, sleeve cuffs, and the three stripes provide a sharp contrast.
- The badge is monochrome. Instead of the full-color crest, it’s a simplified black and orange version. Some purists hate this. I think it looks cleaner.
- The material uses HEAT.RDY technology for the "Authentic" version. It’s designed to keep the players cool, but let’s be honest, for the average fan, it just means it’s a bit more form-fitting.
- The "Fan" version uses AEROREADY, which is more durable and has an embroidered crest rather than the heat-applied plastic one.
One detail most people miss is the pattern. If you catch the light just right, those "RMCF" letters create a texture that keeps the shirt from looking like a flat orange block. It’s a subtle flex.
Why Some Fans Actually Hate It
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Go to any Madridista forum and you’ll find a vocal minority who thinks the Real Madrid orange kit is a travesty. Their argument is simple: Real Madrid is Los Blancos.
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They believe any color that isn't white, purple, or maybe blue is just a commercial gimmick. They see the orange as a "marketing first, football second" move. There’s also the "Valencia" argument. In La Liga, orange is historically associated with Valencia CF. Seeing a Madrid player in orange can feel, to some old-school supporters, like wearing the rival’s colors.
But football is a business now. Kits change every year because the club needs that €100+ million in annual jersey revenue. If they only released white shirts, the revenue would tank. You have to innovate, even if that means looking like a very expensive piece of fruit once in a while.
The Performance Factor: Does Color Matter?
There is actually some sports psychology behind high-visibility kits. Some coaches argue that bright colors like orange or "volt" green make it easier for players to spot their teammates with their peripheral vision during a chaotic counter-attack. When you have a split second to find Vinícius Júnior sprinting down the wing, a flash of bright orange is easier to track than a dark navy blue that blends into the crowd.
Sir Alex Ferguson famously hated Manchester United's grey kit because he claimed the players couldn't see each other. While there's no official word from Valdebebas that Ancelotti picked orange for tactical reasons, the visibility benefit is a real thing. It’s a "loud" kit for a "loud" team.
How to Style It (Without Looking Like a Traffic Cone)
If you're buying one, word of advice: don't go full tracksuit. The orange is a statement piece. It’s meant to be the centerpiece of an outfit.
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- Pair with black: Dark denim or black joggers make the orange pop without looking overwhelming.
- Size up: The authentic player versions are tight. Unless you have the physique of Jude Bellingham, the regular fan version is a much safer bet.
- Check the wash: These high-performance fabrics hate fabric softener. It clogs the "pores" of the tech fabric and makes it smell weird over time. Cold wash only.
Real Madrid's History with "Alternative" Colors
The Real Madrid orange kit is part of a longer tradition of "experimental" third kits. We’ve seen:
- Red (2011): A massive hit that broke sales records at the time.
- Dragon Black (2014): Designed by Yohji Yamamoto, featuring a literal dragon.
- Pink (2014/15): Highly controversial but sold out instantly.
- Mint Green (2019): A sleeper hit that grew on people over the season.
Orange sits in that sweet spot where it's bold enough to be "new" but carries enough historical weight to feel "Madrid." It represents the flair and the "Remontada" spirit. It’s the color of a team that doesn't mind being watched because they know they’re going to win anyway.
Practical Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to grab one of these, you need to be careful with the market.
- Check the SKU: Every official Adidas product has a small tag inside with a 6-digit code. For the 2024 orange kit, you can Google that code to verify it’s not a knockoff. If the code brings up a generic Adidas shirt or a different team, it’s a fake.
- Badge Alignment: On the orange kit, the monochrome badge should be perfectly centered within its textured "block." Fakes often have sloppy embroidery or crooked heat-sealing.
- The Font: Real Madrid uses a specific font for La Liga and a different one for the Champions League. If you want the "authentic" look for the Real Madrid orange kit, get the Champions League font. It’s much more stylish and fits the "Euro" vibe of the color.
The orange kit isn't just a shirt; it’s a gamble on a vibe. It’s a bet that the 2024/25 season will mirror the magic of 2013. Whether you love the brightness or find it eyesore-adjacent, you can’t deny that when those players walk out of the tunnel in that citrus glow, they look like they own the place. And in the world of Real Madrid, confidence is everything.
Actionable Insights for Buyers:
- Verify Authenticity: Only purchase from the official Real Madrid online store, Adidas retailers, or reputable partners like Fanatics.
- Choose Your Version: Get the "Authentic" (Player) version for the specific "monogram" texture detail, but go for the "Fan" (Replica) version for a more comfortable, everyday fit.
- Customization: If you're getting a name on the back, ensure the shop uses the official 24/25 typography; many third-party retailers still use last year's blockier font.
- Maintenance: Turn the jersey inside out before washing to protect the heat-pressed sponsors and the club crest from cracking.