The iconic sky blue and white stripes of Argentina’s home kit may be one of the most recognisable shirts in world football, but it’s the nation’s dark blue away strip that has earned itself a reputation as being ‘lucky’.

Worn during some of the biggest victories in Albiceleste’s history, the strip has become synonymous with success on the grandest stage. Across decades of international competition, the blue shirt has appeared at pivotal moments when Argentina have needed it most.

Whether by chance or something more, its association with memorable triumphs has fueled a long-standing superstition among supporters, with each new success adding another chapter to the kit’s growing folklore.

Why Argentina’s Dark Blue Kit is ‘Lucky’

Due to the fact that England have been selected as the ‘home’ side ahead of their semi-final clash with Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, and FIFA’s desire for a light-and-dark kit contrast to benefit TV viewers, the South-American side were always going to don their away strip.

However, even though the tournament organizers prefer both teams to wear their home colours if possible, the Argentinians requested to wear their second kit.

And whilst some have attributed the decision as a way to prevent a kit clash, Argentinian journalists have started to believe that the alternative strip could help deliver success on the pitch.

The dark blue shirt is supposedly linked to World Cup wins over England in 1986 and 1998.

In 1986, Diego Maradona scored two of the World Cup’s most famous goals of all time whilst wearing the changed strip. The first, now dubbed the ‘Hand of God’, saw the Argentinian rise above England keeper, Peter Shilton, and handle the ball, directing it goalward.

The second goal was remembered for more honorable reasons, with Maradona dribbling around five English players, before slotting home his second of the game, and scoring what became known as the ‘goal of the century’.

And in 1998, Argentina’s dark blue kit featured in another World Cup win against the English. After Alan Shearer and Gabriel Batistuta traded penalties in the opening ten minutes, goals from Javier Zanetti and Michael Owen saw the sides level as David Beckham was sent off early in the second half, after kicking out at Diego Simeone. The South Americans ended up winning 5-4 on penalties to advance to the quarter-finals.

Argentina’s Shirt Colours Explained

Eddie Keogh via Reuters

Whilst Argentina have long been associated with their blue-and-white striped home shirt, the story behind their second kit stems from the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

During the group stage, Argentina were drawn to face West Germany, whose home shirt was also predominantly white. At the time, Argentina did not travel with a change of kit, and were left to scramble for a replacement strip.

Enter Swedish club IFK Malmö. The Scandinavian side gave the Argentinian delegation their distinctive royal blue kit, allowing the game to go ahead.

However, Argentina lost the match 3-1, so the borrowed kits were initially remembered for the wrong reasons. Nevertheless, the colour remained associated with the national team, with the Argentine Football Association later adopting blue as the country’s official away colour.

Mikel Arteta is about to lose one of his Arsenal favourites, with a deal expected to close imminently. The Gunners are in the midst of an intriguing summer after their Premier League title success last season. The Gunners must be careful not to disrupt the nucleus of their squad, but Arteta knows there are improvements needed to stay ahead in the Premier League and to catch the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Arsenal want a left-winger upgrade and a new number 8, while they could yet improve other areas if exits leave gaps, for example in the case of Gabriel Jesus, who will likely depart.

Arteta now set to lose one of his favourites

With Arsenal looking to strengthen on the left, Leandro Trossard has been the first player to seek an exit due to wanting regular starts. One of the Gunners’ biggest challenges this summer will be keeping some of their important squad players who are going to be offered starting roles elsewhere, and Trossard is the first to take up one of those opportunities.

The Belgian arguably had his best season as an Arsenal player last term, playing a vital role in the league and European success. But he also knows he is about to be replaced in the starting XI, and at 31 years of age, he wants to play regular first team football, now likely in the last year of his prime.

Besiktas have now moved to strike a deal worth a touch over £17million, or 20million euros specifically.

Trossard has already been pictured in a Besiktas shirt, and he is now set to fly to Istanbul to complete his move, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Arteta loved Trossard’s consistency

Speaking about Trossard back in January, Arteta said: “I think his level of understanding and consistency, he’s got ability. But the level of consistency he’s showing this season in particular, I think, has been exceptional. I think he’s really clicking with the team in every aspect of the game and he’s a player that provides something different to what we have.”

He added towards the end of the season: “I think he’s been very consistent, very stable, but as have all of the front players I would say, because they have contributed through the season so far in a great way, whether it’s starting or as an impact player. They’re in a great moment.”

It’s clear Arteta was a huge fan of Trossard’s, keeping faith in the Belgian even when he had difficult patches of form during the season before last, but very few are safe in this Arsenal project that is constantly seeking to improve.