The Hikerdelic x Kelme 98 Shirt – A Tribute to a Vintage Real Madrid Classic

For fans of vintage Real Madrid shirts, few eras are as iconic as the late 90s. It was a time of transition, a return to European dominance, and the dawn of the Galácticos era. Now, Manchester-based brand Hikerdelic has teamed up with Kelme to celebrate one of the most memorable shirts in Los Blancos’ history—the Real Madrid 1998 Champions League-winning kit.​

For us, football isn’t a fad to which we’re recent converts, so something with heritage was key. In an era where there was room for challenger brands, Kelme landed the biggest fish of the lot, manufacturing the Real Madrid kit between 1994 and 1998. We felt an affinity with this and began to explore what might be possible, and now here we are.

Mark Smith, co founder Hikerdelic

The Hikerdelic x Kelme 98 shirt

This limited-edition release, known as the Hikerdelic x Kelme 98 Shirt, is a love letter to the jersey worn when Predrag Mijatović’s goal secured Madrid’s first European Cup since 1966. That night in Amsterdam, dressed in their sleek white Kelme kits, Real Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0, marking their return to European dominance.

The shirt follows the design of the 1997-98 Real Madrid home ​shirt with Hiker replacing Teka, the central crest and faded purple and white collar.   

The 1998 Champions League Final – A Clash of Giants

The 1997-98 Champions League final, played at the Amsterdam Arena on May 20, 1998, saw Real Madrid take on a formidable Juventus side led by Marcello Lippi. The game was a tight, tactical battle, with Madrid edging past the reigning Italian champions thanks to a goal from Predrag Mijatović in the 66th minute.

Real Madrid Starting XI
Manager: Jupp Heynckes

Goalkeeper: Bodo Illgner
Defenders: Christian Panucci, Fernando Hierro, Manuel Sanchís (C), Roberto Carlos
Midfielders: Fernando Redondo, Christian Karembeu, Clarence Seedorf
Forwards: Raúl, Fernando Morientes, Predrag Mijatović

Juventus Starting XI
Manager: Marcello Lippi

Goalkeeper: Angelo Peruzzi
Defenders: Ciro Ferrara, Mark Iuliano, Paolo Montero, Moreno Torricelli
Midfielders: Didier Deschamps, Angelo Di Livio, Edgar Davids, Zinedine Zidane
Forwards: Alessandro Del Piero, Filippo Inzaghi

Despite Juventus boasting Zinedine Zidane pulling the strings in midfield and a lethal Inzaghi-Del Piero strike partnership, Madrid held firm. Bodo Illgner made crucial saves, and Fernando Redondo dominated the midfield, ensuring Los Blancos lifted their seventh European Cup.

A Shirt That Defined an Era

For collectors, vintage Real Madrid shirts from the Kelme era hold a special place in football nostalgia. The oversized collars, classic fit, and minimalist design capture the essence of 90s football. Whether it’s the 1994-95 La Liga-winning home shirt or the 1997-98 Champions League edition, these jerseys represent a pivotal moment in Madrid’s history.

The Hikerdelic x Kelme 98 Shirt, launching exclusively at Hikerdelic.com, is more than just a football shirt—it’s a piece of vintage Real Madrid nostalgia, celebrating a moment that changed football history forever​. 

It is available from 17:00 on Friday February 28th from hikerdelic.com.

If you are looking for a vintage Real Madrid shirt check out our collection here.