Football clubs often change their kits for a variety of reasons. While some changes are minor, others can be quite drastic.
Barcelona, one of the biggest football clubs in the world, has undergone several kit changes over the years. In this article, we will discuss why Barcelona changed their kit and how it has evolved over time.
Barcelona’s Traditional Kit
Barcelona’s traditional home kit consists of vertical blue and red stripes with blue shorts and socks. This iconic design has been used since the club’s inception in 1899 and has become synonymous with the Catalan club. However, over time, there have been modifications to this classic design.
The First Change
In 2011, Barcelona made a minor change to their traditional kit by adding a yellow stripe to the collar and sleeves. This change was made to honor the Catalan flag, which features yellow and red stripes as well. The addition of yellow was seen as a subtle way of paying tribute to the region.
The Qatar Airways Era
In 2013, Barcelona signed a sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways that would last until 2017. As part of this deal, the airline’s logo was added to Barcelona’s kit for the first time in history. The logo appeared on the front of the shirt in place of UNICEF’s logo, which had been featured on Barcelona’s shirt since 2006.
The Rakuten Deal
In 2017, Japanese electronic commerce company Rakuten became Barcelona’s new main sponsor. As part of this deal, Rakuten’s logo replaced Qatar Airways’ logo on Barcelona’s shirt. The new design featured thinner stripes and a darker shade of blue than previous kits.
Why Change Kits?
Football clubs change their kits for various reasons such as sponsorship deals or celebrating anniversaries. For instance, in 2019, Barcelona celebrated their 120th anniversary by wearing a special kit that featured the club’s original crest and the colors of the Catalan flag.
Kits can also change based on fan feedback. In 2019, Barcelona announced that they would revert to their traditional vertical stripes for the 2019-2020 season after fans expressed their displeasure with the previous season’s kit, which featured a checkerboard pattern.
The Evolution of Barcelona’s Kit
Over time, Barcelona’s traditional kit has evolved from a simple blue and red striped shirt to a more modern design featuring additional colors and sponsor logos. While some changes have been met with resistance from fans, others have been embraced as part of the club’s history and tradition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Barcelona has changed their kit over the years for various reasons such as sponsorship deals or celebrating anniversaries. Despite these changes, the club’s traditional vertical blue and red stripes remain an integral part of its identity. As football continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Barcelona’s kit evolves as well.