OM Away Shirt 1999-2001 Adidas Ericsson Vintage

Olympique de Marseille Away Jersey 1999-2001 — Adidas, the era of Phocaean reconstruction

At the end of 1999, Olympique de Marseille was barely emerging from a wild decade — glory, scandal, downfall, and the slow return to prominence. This Adidas 1999-2001 away jersey, bearing the Ericsson sponsor, perfectly embodies this pivotal moment: a club in reconstruction, renewed ambitions, and an identity being rebuilt match after match away from the Vélodrome.

Jersey details

Season: 1999-2001
Club: Olympique de Marseille
Type: Away
Kit Manufacturer: Adidas
Sponsor: ERICSSON
Condition: 8/10
Condition Notes: SPOTS — authentic wear of a worn vintage jersey, some light marks that bear witness to its history

What this jersey represents

Between 1999 and 2001, OM went through a period of resurgence. The Phocaean club, relegated to the second division in 1994 after the VA-OM affair and financial scandals, had since returned to the elite and was trying to reclaim European spots. This jersey, worn on opposing fields across all of vintage Ligue 1, symbolizes a club that refused to die and was rebuilding its sporting legitimacy stone by stone.

The sponsor Ericsson — a Swedish telecommunications giant then in full global expansion — dates this jersey with surgical precision. It's the end of the 90s, the era of Nokia phones and the first internet subscriptions, and Marseille, like many major European clubs, was modernizing at high speed. This partnership gives this jersey an absolutely irreplaceable historical flavor for any serious vintage jersey collector.

The players who wore these colors

Between 1999 and 2001, the Marseille locker room was far from lacking talent. Samir Nasri, still a teenager, was starting to emerge in the club's youth teams. On the field with the professionals, players like Robert Pires, who had left the club a little before, could be found, but it was primarily the generation led by Fabrizio Ravanelli — who arrived at the Vélodrome in 2001 — that illustrated the club's renewed ambitions. The silver-haired Italian striker alone symbolized Marseille's return to the scene of vintage European football.

Key players like Franck Lebœuf and the stints of experienced players recruited to stabilize the squad bear witness to a sporting policy that was finding its footing. The coach of that era had to contend with tight budgets and the expectations of supporters who never let their guard down. The Vélodrome, even for an away jersey, remained the emotional reference point for this entire period.

Moments etched in this jersey

The return to the European stage
At the very end of the 90s, Marseille gradually returned to UEFA competitions after years of drought. Playing away in this vintage Adidas jersey meant participating in this gradual resurrection of a legendary French football club.

The rivalry with Ligue 1 heavyweights
These seasons saw OM face a Lyon on the rise, a PSG consolidating its Parisian status, and competitive Bordeaux teams. Away trips in this era's French major stadiums were all battles to affirm that Marseille was back.

The Adidas era in Marseille, a retro football classic
The partnership between Adidas and OM during this period produced jerseys that are now highly sought after by collectors. The late-century design, typical of Adidas's work at the time — clean lines, iconic club badge, signature three stripes — has become an aesthetic reference for French retro football.

Authentic vs Replica

An authentic vintage jersey is a different category from a mass-produced replica. The materials used, the cut, the interior finishes, the period tags — everything is different. An authentic Adidas from the late 90s was designed to be worn by professional footballers, with technical fabrics of the time that have nothing to do with the supporter versions marketed in parallel. That's what makes it a unique item, not just a garment.

This jersey is rated 8/10 with spots — some small, light marks that prove its authenticity and history. A perfect 10/10 jersey appearing out of nowhere in 2024 raises more questions than an honest 8/10 with its small imperfections from use. These marks are proof that this jersey existed, that it was worn, that it was part of history.

Vintage size guide

A crucial point for any purchase of a vintage Adidas 90s-2000s jersey: the sizes of that era absolutely do not correspond to current standards. A vintage XL often fits like a modern L, or even an M depending on the cut. Adidas, in particular, had much more fitted sizes than what you find in stores today. Never rely solely on the label, especially for an online purchase.

The most reliable method: measure a jersey you regularly wear and that fits you well when laid flat, then compare with the exact measurements of this jersey. Shoulder width, chest width laid flat, total length — these three measurements give you an accurate picture. Don't hesitate to contact us if you want detailed measurements of this item before validating your order.

Why have it in your collection

The 1999-2001 OM away jersey represents a pivotal and still underestimated period in the history of the Phocaean club. Everyone chases after the jerseys from the golden era of the 90s with the Champions League, but this era of reconstruction deserves just as much interest — it's the Marseille after the storm, the one fighting to exist again. And Adidas jerseys from this generation, with the Ericsson sponsor, are becoming increasingly difficult to find in good condition.

There aren't many in this condition on the market. An OM vintage collector's jersey at 8/10 is the ideal rating for a serious collector: clean enough to be proud to display or wear, worn enough to be totally authentic. This type of item, in an away version — generally rarer than home kits because produced in smaller quantities — disappears from radar quickly. Once it's gone, it's gone.

To go further

• Marseille - Wikipedia
• Football Kit Archive - History of jerseys
• Ligue 1 - Official website
• UEFA - European Football

If you're an OM fan or simply a lover of French retro football, this piece has a place in your collection — not to resell in six months, but because it tells something true about a club and an era. It's up to you.