1. Start with the seller
The most reliable clue is not on the shirt but in who sells it. Official club and brand stores (adidas, Nike, Puma…) and well-known sports retailers sell licensed products. On marketplaces and unfamiliar shops, read the listing carefully and check reviews and the returns policy.
In our comparisons every offer shows the real store name: always look at who is selling before you click.
2. Price matters
A current-season shirt at half the official price or less is a red flag. Real sales exist, especially on older seasons, but a huge discount on a brand-new kit is almost never legitimate.
3. Labels and product code
Official shirts carry an inner label with a product code (a mix of letters and numbers from the brand). Look that code up on the brand's official site: it should match the same model and colour.
Also check the composition and care labels: on genuine shirts they are cleanly printed or sewn, on copies they are often blurry or contain language mistakes.
4. Crest, logo and stitching
On player versions the crest and logo are usually heat-sealed, with clean edges and no glue residue. On fan versions they may be embroidered. Crooked stitching, loose threads or a crest with odd proportions are bad signs.
Compare with photos on the club's official site: colours, stripes and sponsors must match exactly.
5. Fabric and fit
An official shirt feels technical and light; thick, shiny or non-breathable fabric often gives a copy away. If the seller accepts returns, that is the best way to check it in hand.
6. If you are unsure
Pay with a method that protects you (card or a platform with buyer protection), keep screenshots of the listing and ask for an invoice. If the shirt arrives and is not what you expected, claim within the return window.