Leaked image of new Manchester City third kit has gone viral for the wrong reasons | OneFootball

Manchester City’s unreleased 2025/26 third kit has gone viral across social media, but for all of the wrong reasons from the perspective of its designers.

It is the latest confirmed design to emerge across official and unofficial media channels for Manchester City in the lead-up to the new season, after the Etihad Stadium club formally unveiled their brand new home shirt last month.

For the first time in the club’s history, the familiar design element of a sash utilised on alternative kits in the past, has been emblazoned across the front of the side’s traditional sky blue and white home strip.

The understanding in various quarters is that the new home shirt, which has divided opinion in parts, will then be followed by a black and white away shirt already spotted online and the design widely understood.

However, while the home and away shirts will likely command global interest when it comes to purchases by supporters, a third strip has now surfaced and gone viral for its unique design and bold approach.

As released onto social media by Opaleak, Manchester City’s third kit for the upcoming 2025/26 season will appear to take inspiration from the infamous North-West rain with a water pattern spread across the entirety of the shirt paired with grey and lime green.

Credit: Opaleak

Unsurprisingly, the emergence of the design on social media has led to a staggering reaction, most of which has been of a negative essence towards those who have signed off on Manchester City’s latest edition.

“That might just be the worst kit to grace modern football. Truly horrifying,” said one user writing on X, while another followed up with, “I can already hear the ‘washed club’ remarks. Probably the most hideous kit I’ve seen tbh. What were they thinking?”

As things stand, it remains unknown as to when Manchester City will formally unveil their brand new third strip, with the understanding in some quarters being a launch date of July or August 2025.