The History of the OM Jersey: Marseille’s White and Blue

A white jersey with sky-blue trim. Five words that sum up more than 125 years of Olympique de Marseille’s visual identity. Since the club’s founding in 1899, the design of the Olympique jersey has remained virtually unchanged: a white background inspired by the city’s flag, accented with touches of sky blue that make it instantly recognizable in any stadium across Europe.

But behind this visual consistency, the history of the OM jersey also tells the story of a club that has kept pace with the evolution of modern soccer. Changing kit manufacturers, sponsors making a big splash, increasingly bold alternate jerseys, and the return of retro jerseys among fans: this is how the white and blue of La Canebière has stood the test of time.

The origin of the colors white and blue

When Olympique de Marseille was founded on August 31, 1899, the new multisport club did more than simply come up with a name that evoked the ancient Games and the city’s Phoenician origins. It also chose a color scheme that directly mirrored the city’s flag: a white background and a sky-blue cross. The symbolism was immediate; the jersey became a visual extension of the city.

For decades, OM’s home jersey has remained predominantly white, with a blue trim that has varied in prominence over the years. This simplicity has one advantage: it withstands changing trends without looking dated. Old black-and-white photos from the 1930s and 1940s already show this clean, minimalist design, which is virtually identical to that found on today’s jerseys.

Sky blue is not a secondary color in the strict sense. It is an accent color, appearing on the collar and sleeves—sometimes as vertical stripes, sometimes as subtle pinstripes. It is this contrast between the light background and the touches of blue that defines the Olympique jersey.

The crest and the motto “Straight to the Point”

The instantly recognizable crest takes pride of place on the front of the jersey. The logo has evolved several times, but the central element has remained the same: the motto “Droit Au But” (Straight to the Goal), inherited from the club’s rugby section, which encapsulates the attacking spirit that OM has championed since its early years. The intertwined “OM” initials in certain versions, along with the star above them since 1993, complete the visual identity.

The star, in fact, was added after the team’s European triumph. French clubs are not allowed to wear stars for domestic titles, but OM chose to display its own in reference to the Champions League trophy won in Munich. It is a unique star in the history of French soccer, proudly displayed on the right side of the logo.

Successive equipment manufacturers

Over the decades, Olympique de Marseille has had several major kit sponsors. Le Coq Sportif outfitted the club at the turn of the 1970s, then Adidas took over for most of the Tapie era and beyond, notably designing the historic jersey worn during the 1993 European title victory. Reebok and Mizuno also briefly outfitted the club in the mid-1990s, before Adidas returned for the long term.

Each equipment manufacturer has added its own touch: three Adidas stripes on the sleeves, ergonomic materials, cuts that are more or less fitted, and moisture-wicking treatments. But they have all adhered to the same rule: never stray from the white and sky-blue base. OM fans are among the most attached to their club’s visual identity and do not tolerate experiments that stray too far from tradition.

The 1993 jersey: the ultimate icon

If any OM jersey were to embody the club’s entire history, it would be the one from the 1992–1993 season. It was this Adidas kit—white with navy blue trim—that was worn by Basile Boli, Didier Deschamps, Marcel Desailly, Rudi Völler, Abedi Pelé, and their teammates on the evening of May 26, 1993, at Munich’s Olympiastadion. The Panasonic logo emblazoned as the jersey sponsor, the loose-fitting 1990s cut, the embroidered details: everything evokes that night that turned French soccer on its head.

This jersey is now one of the most sought-after items on the vintage soccer apparel market. Vintage examples fetch high prices on the secondhand market, and official or inspired reissues always find buyers. To understand why, we need to go back to that night itself: our analysis of the OM-Milan final explains the context that turned this jersey into a relic.

The sponsors featured on the jersey

Jersey sponsorship first appeared in French soccer in the late 1970s. At OM, several brands have appeared on the players’ jerseys over the decades. Panasonic sponsored the club during its quadruple and European title run in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Eurest, Parmalat, and then Ericsson took over in the years that followed.

Starting in the 2000s, sponsorship deals began to multiply and were renewed more frequently: Neuf Telecom, Direct Énergie, BetClic, Intersport, and Orange. More recently, Uber Eats and then CMA CGM, Marseille’s iconic shipping company, have appeared on the front of the jersey. CMA CGM’s return to the forefront in 2023 was particularly welcomed by fans, who are keen to see a Marseille-based company associated with their club.

Home and alternate jerseys: bold and unapologetic

While the home jersey remains the undisputed icon, OM has gradually allowed itself more creative freedom with its away and alternate kits. Deep navy blue, black, charcoal gray, neon yellow, light beige, and designs inspired by the Old Port or the Calanques: there have been numerous variations in recent years, sometimes featuring very bold graphic choices.

This bold move is driven both by marketing strategy (to increase the number of collectible items) and by the reality of modern soccer: clubs now wear three distinct jerseys per season, or even four when special editions are included. For fans, it’s also an opportunity to mix things up in their wardrobe without straying from the classic white and blue.

The Puma Era Since 2018

Since the 2018–2019 season, Puma has been the official kit supplier for Olympique de Marseille. The German brand took over from Adidas after a long partnership. Puma jerseys have introduced a more contemporary design, more technical materials, and a slim fit typical of the Herzogenaurach-based brand. The sky blue has been reworked in slightly different shades depending on the season, sometimes more navy, sometimes more turquoise.

Puma has also ramped up its special editions and collaborations. With bold third kits, limited-edition capsule collections, and lines inspired by the club’s iconic eras, the brand has recognized that OM is as much a fashion brand as it is a soccer club, and has focused on creating collector’s items as much as sportswear.

Retro jerseys: memories you can wear

The market for retro jerseys has boomed in recent years, and Olympique de Marseille is one of the most sought-after clubs. Fans are looking to wear the kit from the 1993 European title run, those from the 1989–1992 quadruple, and sometimes even older versions from the 1970s, back in the days of Skoblar and Magnusson. These pieces tell the story of an era, a player, or a specific memory.

Interest in these jerseys has become widespread. Younger fans, who weren’t around for Munich 1993, are embracing these jerseys as cultural artifacts, just like a vinyl record or a vintage T-shirt. For older fans, it’s a way to relive specific memories: the final in Bari, Boli’s goal, European nights at the Vélodrome.

Key Takeaways

• OM’s home jersey has been white with sky-blue trim since the club was founded in 1899, in reference to the flag of Marseille.
• The crest bears the motto “Straight to the Goal,” inherited from the rugby division of the multi-sport club.
• A single star on the jersey commemorates the 1993 Champions League victory, the only major European title won by a French club.
• Several sportswear brands have provided the club’s uniforms, including Le Coq Sportif, Adidas (through most of the Tapie era and well beyond), Reebok, Mizuno, and Puma since 2018.
• The 1992–1993 Adidas jersey, featuring Panasonic as the sponsor, remains the club’s ultimate icon.
• The current jersey sponsor is CMA CGM, the Marseille-based shipping company.
• OM's retro jerseys (1993, 1989–1992, 1970s) are among the most sought-after items on the vintage soccer apparel market.

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