Barcelona, one of the most iconic football clubs in the world, has a rich history that spans over a century. It is known for its distinctive red and blue striped jersey, which has become synonymous with the club. However, it wasn’t until relatively recently that Barcelona decided to include a sponsor on their shirts.
The Early Years
In its early years, Barcelona did not have a shirt sponsor. The club was founded in 1899 and initially wore plain white shirts.
It wasn’t until 1910 that they adopted the iconic red and blue stripes we know today. These colors were inspired by the flag of Catalonia, the region where Barcelona is located.
Throughout the early decades of its existence, Barcelona’s jerseys remained free from any commercial branding. The focus was solely on representing the club and its fans.
The Arrival of UNICEF
In 2006, Barcelona made history by becoming the first football club to have a non-profit organization as their shirt sponsor. They struck a unique and groundbreaking deal with UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
This partnership aimed to promote UNICEF’s mission of improving child welfare around the world. Instead of receiving money for featuring UNICEF on their shirts, Barcelona actually paid an annual fee to support the organization’s projects.
For five seasons from 2006 to 2011, Barcelona proudly displayed the UNICEF logo on their jerseys. This collaboration not only brought financial support for UNICEF but also increased awareness about important global issues among football fans worldwide.
The Qatar Airways Era
In 2011, Barcelona took a new direction when they signed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways. This marked a significant change in approach as they embraced commercial sponsorship on their shirts for the first time.
Under the agreement, Qatar Airways became Barcelona’s main shirt sponsor, and their logo was prominently displayed on the front of the jersey. The partnership was initially set to last until 2016 but was extended until 2021.
While some fans were initially skeptical about the introduction of a commercial sponsor, Barcelona used the funds from this partnership to strengthen their squad and invest in youth development programs. The financial support undoubtedly played a role in their success on the field during this period.
The Current Sponsor: Rakuten
In 2017, Barcelona announced a new partnership with Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce company. This deal saw Rakuten become Barcelona’s main global partner and shirt sponsor.
The Rakuten logo now adorns the front of Barcelona’s jerseys, symbolizing the club’s commitment to global expansion and digital innovation. The collaboration goes beyond shirt sponsorship, as Rakuten is also involved in various digital initiatives with Barcelona.
The introduction of commercial sponsors on Barcelona’s shirts has allowed the club to benefit financially and support their ongoing success both on and off the pitch.
In Conclusion
From its humble beginnings with plain white shirts to its current partnership with Rakuten, Barcelona has come a long way in terms of shirt sponsorship. The introduction of sponsors has provided financial support for important causes like UNICEF while also enabling the club to strengthen its squad and invest in various projects.
Barcelona continues to be an influential force both in football and beyond, using its global reach to make a positive impact. As fans eagerly await future developments, one thing remains certain – Barcelona’s iconic jersey will always be a symbol of tradition, excellence, and now, commercial partnership.