If you’re worried that this is the current season’s Barcelona home kit and need an eye exam, fret not—this is actually the club’s newly unveiled fourth alternate jersey.
Launched under the motto “Football is Art,” this latest shirt retains many classic features of a traditional Barça home kit. However, the blaugrana stripes have been creatively modified to pay homage to a pivotal match that occurred two decades ago, which is celebrated in modern football as one of the most outstanding team performances ever.
We refer to the unforgettable 3-0 triumph against Real Madrid during the Clásico at the Bernabéu on November 19, 2005, where the Catalans dominated their rivals and solidified their lead at the top of LaLiga.
Despite not dominating possession that night, Frank Rijkaard’s star-studded lineup—which featured a young Lionel Messi—delivered a stunning performance characterized by dynamic attacking football, allowing Ronaldinho to firmly cement his legacy among the club’s all-time greats.
Samuel Eto’o kicked off the scoring, followed by a stunning double from Ronaldinho—both goals nearly identical—which concluded the rout. The second goal earned that brilliant No. 10 a standing ovation from the rival crowd, a rare acknowledgment for a Barça player at the Bernabéu.
The new Barça fourth kit features jagged stripes that draw inspiration from the crafty routes taken by Eto’o and Ronaldinho as they maneuvered past the Madrid defense to score that night. The minutes of the three goals—14th, 58th, and 77th—are inscribed inside the collar.
Eto’o concluded the season as the club’s leading scorer, just edging out Ronaldinho across all competitions. However, it was the Brazilian superstar who claimed the Ballon d’Or shortly after receiving that ovation at the Bernabéu.
Utilizing the momentum from their Clásico victory, Barça finished the LaLiga season 12 points ahead of Madrid and also triumphed in the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal in Paris.