A football jersey is a gift that touches the heart. But it’s also one of the easiest gifts to get wrong. Wrong size, wrong club, wrong version: just one forgotten detail can leave the jersey in the closet. This guide gives you all the keys to give exactly the right one.
First: identify the recipient’s profile
This is the easiest profile to handle. Identify their favorite club, then choose the current season’s home jersey. The home jersey is always the most iconic and the least likely to look outdated quickly.
If you know which player they prefer, have the name and number printed. It’s the personal touch that turns a jersey into something truly unique.
Always choose one size larger than you estimate. A slightly large jersey can be worn. A jersey that’s too tight is useless.
During the 2026 World Cup, national team jerseys are the most worn and most requested. For France, both versions (home blue and away green) are available. For other teams, always bet on the home jersey if you’re not sure which of the two is preferred.
A national team jersey lasts longer than a club jersey: players don’t transfer during the season, and the design remains valid for several seasons.
For a national team jersey given during a tournament, don’t print the name of a specific player: lineups change. Leave the choice of printing to the recipient.
An NBA or rugby jersey can make a gift as striking as a football jersey, or even more original. For the NBA, jerseys from major franchises (Lakers, Bulls, Knicks) are the most versatile and appeal to a wide audience, including people who don’t necessarily follow the league daily.
For rugby, jerseys of the French national team or Top 14 clubs make appreciated gifts, even for those not used to receiving sports jerseys.
NBA jerseys run large. When in doubt, choose one size smaller than you estimated for a standard comfortable fit.
For a child, the jersey of their favorite player or club is almost always the right choice. Don’t rely on age to choose the size: always use the size in centimeters. A 10-year-old child can wear either 140 cm or 164 cm depending on their build. When in doubt, choose the larger size.
For a teenager, streetwear jerseys (PSG, major NBA clubs, national teams with nice external designs) work well because they fit into a daily wardrobe beyond the sports context.
Check the exchange policy before ordering. For a child, size is the most common mistake and the ability to exchange easily is essential.
Classic mistakes to absolutely avoid
It seems obvious, but it’s the most common mistake. A Marseille fan will never appreciate a PSG jersey, even if it’s the best quality in the world. If you’re not sure about the favorite club, ask a trusted third party before buying.
Giving a "Bellingham - Real Madrid" printed jersey when the player has just moved to PSG immediately dates your gift. Check transfer news before choosing a print, especially during the summer transfer window (July-August).
Always leave the tags in place. If the size is wrong or the recipient already has one, the possibility to exchange or return the jersey disappears as soon as the tags are removed.
Authentic or Replica: which to give?
For a gift, the Replica version (also called Stadium or Fan) is almost always the best choice. It costs between €60 and €100 depending on the clubs, offers a comfortable fit for everyone, and fulfills exactly the same emotional and symbolic function as an Authentic.
The Authentic version (also called Player Version or Match) is reserved for players or collectors. At €120-160, the price difference is only justified if the person actually plays football at a high level or collects jerseys as items. For a standard gift, the Replica is the right choice in 95% of cases.
Where to start
All jerseys on Elite Fanstore are official, with certified printing and fast delivery. If you have any doubts about the size or model, the size guide is available on each product page, and customer service can assist you before your order.