Last update on. From the section European Football
Ajax is used to giving us great kits.
This latest Dutch super-power edition is a banger. The third Ajax kit for the 2021-22 season was just released. It pays tribute to the unique and special relationship between Bob Marley and Ajax.
The shirt features the colors of Jamaica and three tiny birds sewn onto the back. This is a nod to the Marley song of the same title.
Why?
Marley and Ajax fans have a love story that dates back to 2008 when "Three Little Birds" became a fan favorite anthem.
The Dutch fans were asked not to leave the stands after a friendly against Cardiff. The stadium DJ played "Three Little Birds" and the crowd instantly loved it. They have been singing it all the way home.
The chorus of the song, which Bob Marley and The Wailers recorded in 1977, conveys a powerful message about hope.
"Don't worry a lot/'Cause everything gonna go right/Singin": "Don’t worry about one thing/’Cause everything gonna go right!"
Ajax explained the design of the kit by saying: "The fans instantly adopted the song as theirs and have been singing it every game since.
"A true symbol for hope, the fans sing this song regardless of what score they have in the game."
Ky-Mani Marley, Bob Marley's child, came out at half-time in 2018 during a Champions League tie against AEK Athens to sing the song at Johan Cruyff arena.
At the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ky-Mani Marley performs.
Ajax and the Marley family have collaborated to design their third kit for 2021-22, which will be worn during European matches.
Marley's daughter Cedella said, "I am beyond touched Ajax took Three Little Birds as their anthem."
"Stories such as these warm my heart and demonstrate how powerful songs like Three Little Birds are. My father was a soccer fan. To quote him, "Football is freedom."
The shirt was already very popular and the website selling it crashed soon after its release.
