If you search “What’s the most popular sport in the world?” on Google, you’ll find that soccer, or football as it’s known in many parts of the world, consistently tops the list.
According to FIFA’s last recorded report in 2021, soccer boasts more than 5 billion fans worldwide. Just watching a match can be exhilarating, with fans experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions – from joy and disbelief to anger, sadness, and happiness. For those who truly understand the game, and have an eye for soccer game plays, it’s a beautiful and captivating sport.
Similarly, for those with an eye for graphic design, the logos for soccer clubs around the world are a source of fascination. These logos for soccer clubs, each unique, often reflect the rich heritage and cultural significance of the clubs they represent. In this analysis, we’ll explore some of these logos to provide both knowledge and inspiration for designing logos for soccer teams.
But before we dive in, let’s look at an overview of the logos for soccer clubs around the world and some things to consider.
When we talk about logos for soccer, it’s fascinating to note that most of them come in the form of crests or emblems. But why crests instead of the other types of logos?
Back in the day, families used to have their own crests, packed with meaning. It would have contained stories from their origins to their achievements. And this tradition didn’t just stop with families – it extended to other important institutions like hospitals, schools, universities, and yes, even sports clubs.
So, when you see these crests on soccer club logos, don’t just brush them off as old-fashioned. They’re like time capsules, preserving the rich history and identity of each club. Some of these clubs have been around since the 1800s. And even though some of these logos for soccer clubs have evolved through the years, they’ve kept the original crest or at least some parts of it as a nod to their enduring legacy.
It’s quite different from the process of creating a modern logo for a new company. Instead, it’s a journey through time, uncovering layers of tradition and heritage that make each emblem a story in itself.
Now that we’ve put on a fresh perspective about these logos for soccer clubs let’s delve into each of them individually.
FC Barcelona, founded in 1899, is one of the most successful and popular soccer clubs in the world, renowned for its distinct playing style and its motto “Més que un club” (More than a club). Based in Barcelona, Spain, the club has won numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple UEFA Champions League and La Liga championships.
The Barcelona crest was originally selected through a competition in 1910. The crest has largely retained its design, undergoing only minor aesthetic changes over the years.
As you can see from the image above, the essential components remain intact. If you’ve ever wondered about the lack of color coordination in this logo, it’s because the significance lies more in the symbolism of each element than in the colors themselves.
The top left of the crest features St. George’s cross, representing the patron saint of Catalonia, which also appears in the coat of arms of Barcelona city. On the right, the Catalan flag is prominently displayed. The bottom section showcases the club’s colors and a soccer ball, tying in the essence of FC Barcelona. The entire crest is outlined in yellow, unifying the story it tells.
Their motto resonates deeply here, as the crest embodies that sentiment, encapsulating the rich heritage and identity of FC Barcelona.
This logo is a prime example of how tradition and history should come together when creating logos for soccer clubs.
Real Madrid was established in 1902 and is one of the most prestigious and successful soccer clubs globally. Based in Madrid, Spain, they’re famous for their rich history and numerous accolades. The club has won a record number of UEFA Champions League titles and La Liga championships, solidifying its status as a powerhouse in world soccer.
The Real Madrid logo stands out with its unique design, resembling an exquisite ring with a diamond rather than a traditional crest shape. Nevertheless, each component of the logo carries deep meaning and significance.
The initial logo of Real Madrid as shown below was a monogram that carried the letters M C and F in a serif font which stands for Madrid Club de Football. Even the color was initially just blue.
But in 1908 the letters were shifted to sans serifs and a circle enclosed them, automatically making the logo a crest. This design structure remained intact through the years.
The major differences are the crown on top, the blue diagonal strip in the middle, and the color shift. The crown was added in 1920 when the club was granted a royal title which in turn gave them the honorific title “Real”, meaning royal in Spanish.
The blue stripe in the flag, which was once purple, is commonly thought to represent the Castile region. However, no credible sources have assigned an exact meaning to this element.
As you can tell, Real Madrid’s logo, with its unique and historically rich design elements, reflects the club’s royal and prestigious heritage. An example that all who desire to create logos for soccer teams should follow.
Chelsea, founded in 1905 and based in London, is one of England’s top soccer clubs, known for its passionate fan base and competitive spirit. The club has secured numerous domestic and international titles, including multiple Premier League and FA Cup trophies.
The Chelsea logo has gone through some significant changes throughout the years including element, color, and form changes.
The lion rampant as shown below was first introduced in 1953, symbolizing strength and bravery, drawing from the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea’s coat of arms.
The club’s colors have primarily shifted among red, blue, white, and yellow. The lion rampant has remained a central and recurring figure throughout these changes.
In 2005, when the club celebrated its centenary, a new logo was introduced that closely resembled the 1953 design but with modern refinements. This current logo retains the traditional elements while presenting an updated and polished look, paying homage to Chelsea’s rich history and legacy. This kind of “paying homage” to one’s history and legacy should be a core action when designing logos for soccer teams.
Renowned for its storied history and widespread global fanbase, Manchester United FC is one of the most iconic soccer clubs in the world. Founded in 1878 and based in Manchester, England, the club has won numerous Premier League titles and UEFA Champions League trophies.
The Manchester United logo has always been a crest but it has undergone many changes throughout the years. The latest logo as displayed above is a refined version of the version done in 1940 as shown below.
The current colors were however retained from the 1970’s version. Also, most versions of the logo carried the wording Manchester United Football Club until 1998 when it was fully revised to just Manchester United as you can see above in the current logo version.
The Manchester United logo features a ship, symbolizing the club’s connection to Manchester’s historic ship canal.
The creature in the middle is supposed to be a devil with a pitchfork, introduced in 1970 and inspired by the Salford Rugby Club. It came about when the French press started calling the Rugby Club “Les Diables Rouges” which stood for The Red Devils. The Manchester United manager at the time, Sir Alexander Matthew Busby CBE liked the name and wanted his team to be associated with the name as well.
The club’s nickname then widely came to be known as, “The Red Devils”. This prompted the inclusion of it into the logo as well. The primary colors, red and yellow, reflect this nickname, the club’s traditional kit, and its vibrant brand identity.
It goes to show how adding elements that identify you as a team is important when designing logos for soccer clubs or teams.
Manchester City, based in Manchester, England, has rapidly risen to prominence in recent years, becoming one of the top clubs in world soccer. Founded in 1880, the club has achieved significant success, including multiple Premier League titles and domestic cup victories.
The Manchester City logo is a perfect circular crest that contains rich historical meaning. The earliest version of the current Man-city logo was seen back in 1972.
This old version also contained most of the elements we see in the current logo. The famous red rose of Lancashire, the ship signifying the historic ship canal of Manchester, and the shield in which it all contained remained intact.
But it didn’t have the 3 stripes in the current logo denoting Irwell, Irk, and Medwell – the 3 rivers that run through Manchester. These were however seen in the 2nd rendition in 1960.
One of the significant changes in the wording was the shift from Manchester City F. C. to just Manchester City. However, the font remained a sans serif minimalistic font. The primary colors have remained blue and white with no real meaning assigned except the fact that the team’s kit and branding have been blue since 1892 or possibly since before.
It is one of the cleanest logos on this list and remains a good example to follow when creating logos for soccer teams.
Known for its rich history and attacking style of play, Arsenal FC is one of England’s most storied soccer clubs. Founded in 1886 and based in London, the club has won numerous Premier League titles and FA Cups.
The Arsenal soccer club’s logo has undergone many changes since its first rendition (shown below), but some core parts of it have remained intact.
The Arsenal FC logo features a cannon, based on the crest of the Metropolitan Borough of Woolwich. The logo has undergone several color shifts, predominantly using red, white, and gold, reflecting the club’s traditional kit and identity.
The current logo, introduced in 2002, showcases a modern design with a simplified cannon facing east. The typography has also evolved, with the club’s name now displayed in a sleek, contemporary font that complements the streamlined emblem.
This modernized logo honors Arsenal’s rich history while embracing a forward-looking identity – a practice that should be followed when designing logos for soccer.
Liverpool FC, founded in 1892 and based in Liverpool, England, is celebrated for its passionate fanbase and illustrious history. The club has secured numerous Premier League titles and UEFA Champions League trophies, making it one of the most successful soccer teams in the world.
The Liverpool FC logo has evolved over the years from its first version (shown below), but the Liverbird has remained a prominent element in most versions, symbolizing the city of Liverpool.
Previous logos were predominantly red and white, but the current design incorporates a significant amount of emerald green and some shading that gives depth to the crest.
This logo, introduced in 1992, leans towards a medieval style, making it quite ornate compared to other soccer logos. The club’s motto, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” was added in 1992, emphasizing unity and support. The two flames on either side commemorate the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, adding deep significance to the emblem.
As a whole, the current emblem carries a long-standing history that makes it all the more striking. This kind of thought process should definitely be adopted when creating logos for soccer clubs that have such a rich history.
Aston Villa FC was founded in 1874 and is based in Birmingham, England. It is one of the oldest and most respected soccer clubs in the country. The club has a rich history of success, including multiple league titles and a European Cup victory.
The Aston Villa logo prominently features a lion, reflecting the Scottish heritage of the club’s president, William McGregor, as the lion is a symbol on Scotland’s coat of arms. This element has been central since the club’s earliest logo in 1880. The colors, claret and blue, mirror the club’s traditional kit and identity. Over the years, the logo has evolved from a simple lion emblem to more intricate crest designs.
The current logo, introduced in 2016, is an improved version of the 2007 version (shown below) and modernizes the classic elements with a sleek, unembellished lion and a bold claret background, maintaining a strong connection to the club’s heritage while presenting a contemporary look.
It’s a classic example of how you can marry heritage and contemporary styling when designing logos for soccer.
Paris Saint-Germain FC, founded in 1970 and based in Paris, France, has quickly become one of the most dominant clubs in European soccer. The club boasts numerous domestic league titles and cup victories, alongside a star-studded lineup of international players including top players like Kylian Mbappé.
The Paris Saint-Germain logo prominently features the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing the club’s connection to Paris. The colors blue and red represent the city’s traditional colors and embody the club’s identity. The fleur-de-lis, located beneath the Eiffel Tower, signifies the club’s historical ties to French royalty and heritage.
The very first PSG logo as shown below was a soccer ball with a hexagon pattern and a ship inside one of the hexagons.
But over the years, the PSG logo has evolved, and those core elements have entirely disappeared.
The current logo, introduced in 2013, was a modernized design of the version introduced in1996 with a streamlined Eiffel Tower and a bolder color scheme adopted from the “Tricolore” of the French national flag, reinforcing the club’s Parisian roots and its prestigious status in French soccer. This goes to show the importance of sticking to important roots when designing logos for soccer clubs.
Based in Rome, Italy, AS Roma FC, established in 1927, holds a prominent place in Italian soccer history. The club has a passionate fan base and a rich tradition, with notable successes in Serie A and domestic cup competitions.
The AS Roma logo features the iconic bronze sculpture of La Lupa Capitolina the she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, symbolizing the legendary origins of Rome. This imagery has been a constant, while the initial crest shape has remained intact through various iterations.
Earlier versions of the crest often included the monogram “ASR,” representing Associazione Sportiva Roma.
However, the current logo prominently displays the word “Roma” instead. The colors, primarily maroon and orange-yellow, reflect the traditional hues of the city and the club’s identity.
The latest logo, introduced in 2013, maintains the classic elements with a modernized design switching the orange-yellow to bright yellow, honoring the club’s rich heritage and deep connection to Rome’s history which is a profound element of designing logos for soccer clubs.
Established in 1897 and based in Turin, Italy, Juventus FC is one of the most successful and iconic soccer clubs in the world. The club has a storied history, with numerous Serie A titles and international accolades, cementing its status as a powerhouse in global soccer.
The Juventus logo originally featured a traditional crest with black vertical stripes as shown below and has seen several iterations, switching the animal in the crest multiple times.
The standout feature of the current logo, introduced in 2017, is its bold departure from the traditional crest design. It combines the right side of a crest with a stylized “J,” maintaining the original black stripe look and incorporating the initial of the team with the name on top. And again in 2020 they removed the name, made the logo bigger, and kept only the half crest and the initial J.
This modern and minimalist design sets it apart from typical soccer logos, reflecting Juventus’ innovative spirit and forward-thinking approach while preserving its historical elements. This is a creative example of ways you can incorporate minimalism and yet honor old traditions when designing logos for soccer.
One of the most successful soccer clubs globally, FC Bayern Munich, founded in 1900 and based in Munich, Germany, boasts an illustrious history and a strong tradition of excellence. The club has dominated German soccer with numerous Bundesliga titles and has clinched multiple UEFA Champions League trophies, establishing itself as a powerhouse in European soccer.
The Bayern Munich logo began as a simple crest featuring the initials FCBM. One of the iterations, introduced in 1966 (shown below), is the version that has endured.
This design prominently features a checkered white and blue pattern at the center, symbolizing the Bavarian flag, encircled by red.
And since then, the logo has seen only slight modifications, maintaining its classic and recognizable look. Significant aspects include the enduring Bavarian colors and the club’s name encircling the crest, which reinforce Bayern Munich’s regional pride and identity.
The logo’s consistency over the years highlights the club’s commitment to tradition and its storied heritage – a good practice to adopt for those looking to design logos for soccer.
Based in Dortmund, Germany, Borussia Dortmund, founded in 1909, is renowned for its passionate fan base and electrifying style of play. The club has achieved significant success, including multiple Bundesliga titles and a UEFA Champions League triumph, solidifying its status as one of the top soccer clubs in Europe.
The Borussia Dortmund logo has always been one of the most minimalistic in soccer. The very first logo was a simple monogram featuring the letter “B.” The 1919 version, however, set the foundation for all succeeding designs, introducing the iconic “BVB” monogram (shown below) and yellow-and-black color scheme encircled into a modern-looking crest.
The color scheme was adopted to honor the working class who formed the majority of their fan base. The yellow was to honor those working in the steel industry whose overalls were yellow and the black was to honor mine workers who worked with coal.
Over the years, except for a few deviations, the logo has remained true to this 1919 design. The current logo differs mainly in the intensity of the yellow and the thickness of the circular frame. Another important detail is the “09” in the logo, denoting the club’s founding year, 1909, highlighting Dortmund’s rich history and long-standing tradition.
This logo design is a testament to the modern thinking that was prevalent even back then when they created logos for soccer. So it goes to show that you can certainly create logos for soccer clubs or teams by combining modern design ideas with meaningful tradition.
Founded in 1900 and based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, AFC Ajax is celebrated for its rich history and innovative approach to soccer. The club has produced world-class talent and achieved success both domestically and internationally, including multiple Eredivisie titles and UEFA Champions League victories.
The AFC Ajax logo has seen few changes, maintaining a consistent central theme. The 1920 logo (shown below) featured a detailed portrait of Ajax, the legendary Greek hero known for his strength and courage.
The current logo, designed in 1991, presents an abstract version of Ajax’s portrait, enclosed by wording and a circular frame, forming a modern crest.
Despite its age, this logo looks contemporary and sleek. The portrait of Ajax at the center is drawn with 11 lines, symbolizing the 11 players on the team, representing unity and collective strength. The colors, red and white, likely derive from the flag of Amsterdam, highlighting the club’s deep local roots.
This is a classic example of how you can take a concept and make something great out of it when creating logos for soccer.
And with that let’s wrap things up and move ahead to conclude the art of creating logos for soccer.
Creating logos for soccer teams requires a deep understanding of the sport’s heritage, a country’s history, and a club’s roots. All these logos for soccer clubs serve as powerful brand identities, evoking emotions and loyalty among fans worldwide because of how deep and rich they are in meaning.
This is why if you want to create logos for soccer clubs there are a lot of things to do. Understanding the evolution of logos for soccer teams is one of those things and it showcases how design elements can encapsulate a club’s identity, values, and aspirations.
So we believe this blog would’ve assisted you in this regard and equipped you with the necessary inspiration to design logos for soccer. Here’s another blog that will help you understand the intricacies of creating logos for teams. It will aid further in creating logos for soccer.
