9.5/10
Shirt condition
Excellent condition
For a 2012 shirt, this is remarkable. The sky blue has not faded, the tone-on-tone striped knit is intact (photo 6), the tricolour collar is neither stretched nor yellowed. BARTON No.6 printing perfectly bonded, "80 years of Ligue 1" patch crisp, Intersport and Groupama sponsors without cracking. No holes, no stains, no fading found on inspection.
| Size | XL (see flat measurements above) |
| Manufacturer | adidas (ClimaCool technology) |
| Season | 2012-2013 — Marseille's English season |
| Version | Away (sky blue, striped knit, tricolour collar) |
| Sponsors | Intersport (front) + Groupama (back) |
| Printing | BARTON No.6 — official LFP 2012-2013 font |
| Patch | "80 ANS" Ligue 1 (sleeve) — specific to the 2012-2013 season |
| Auth. code | X21906 (independently verifiable) |
Still unsure? adidas shirts from this generation run long: compare the flat measurements above, or check my vintage football shirt size guide.
100% AUTHENTIC
✦ Authenticity guaranteed for life
Every piece is checked by hand in my authentication workshop. If a shirt bought from me is ever identified as a unofficial, I refund it in full. No expiry date on that guarantee.
- Original adidas inner label photographed (photo 4): reference X21906 and production date 05/12 — May 2012, exactly the manufacturing window for the Marseille 2012-2013 away shirt
- OM crest embroidered in gold thread on a circled black ground, dense and sharp relief (photo 3) — unofficial pieces systematically flatten this monogram
- "80 ANS" Ligue 1 patch: this badge only existed during the 2012-2013 season, it dates the shirt on its own
- BARTON No.6 printing in the official Ligue de Football Professionnel font, with the LFP logo built in below the digit (photo 5)
- Real photos of the exact shirt for sale, never stock images — full method in my authentication guide
🛠️ Workshop note — On adidas shirts from this period, the MM/YY date on the label is my first checkpoint: it must precede the start of the season by a few months. 05/12 for a 2012-2013 shirt is perfectly consistent.
📖 Barton at Marseille: OM's most improbable year
Some printings tell a bigger story than the player. BARTON No.6 is one of them. In 2012, Olympique de Marseille took on loan the most turbulent English midfielder of his generation — and the south of France took to him immediately.
📅 31 August 2012 — Barton signs for OM. A season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers. Nobody, in England or France, backed the move to work.
📅 2012-2013 season — OM finish 2nd in Ligue 1. Behind PSG, but ahead of Lyon: Marseille's best league finish of the decade. Barton played most of the season in midfield.
📅 The detail that made the legend. Barton took up French and gave his interviews in an unashamed French accent — clips that became cult viewing on both sides of the Channel, and which explain why this printing is so sought-after by British collectors.
👑 The shirt itself — sky blue with tone-on-tone stripes, blue-white-red collar, gold crest: one of the most elegant adidas away shirts in Marseille's recent history, and the only one carrying the Ligue 1 80th anniversary patch.
❓ Frequently asked questions about this shirt
Is this Marseille shirt authentic?
Yes. The adidas label photographed (photo 4) carries reference X21906 and the date 05/12, consistent with the OM 2012-2013 away shirt. Add the gold embroidered crest, the Ligue 1 "80 years" patch specific to that season and the official LFP printing. Lifetime authenticity guarantee.
What does the sleeve patch mean?
It is the 80 years of Ligue 1 badge, worn by every club in the league during the 2012-2013 season only. It is a very reliable dating marker: an OM away shirt with this patch cannot belong to any other season.
Did Joey Barton really play for Marseille?
Yes, a full season. He joined on loan from Queens Park Rangers on 31 August 2012 and played the 2012-2013 campaign, at the end of which OM finished 2nd in Ligue 1. A short spell, but one that became cult — not least thanks to his interviews in French.
Are there any flaws to report?
Nothing significant, which is rare on a 2012 shirt. No holes, no stains, no fading, printing and patch intact. Photo 6 shows the knit close-up so you can judge the fabric yourself. Rating: 9.5/10.
How does this XL fit?
Large. Measured flat: 60 cm pit to pit and 81 cm long — adidas shirts in 2012 ran markedly longer than today. If you wear a L, this XL will give you a roomy, covering fit.
How much is shipping and how fast?
Dispatched within 48 working hours with tracked Colissimo (€5.99 within mainland France, free from €99.99). International rates and delivery times are detailed on my shipping FAQ. 14-day returns if unworn.