Barcelona, June 14, 2025 — In a stunning fusion of basketball legacy and football tradition, FC Barcelona has unveiled its new second kit for the 2025/26 season — and it’s inspired by none other than the late NBA legend, Kobe Bryant.
The club, known for its rich sporting history and iconic blaugrana colors, has taken an unprecedented step by paying tribute to Bryant, who spent a formative part of his youth in Italy and maintained close ties with the global football community, particularly FC Barcelona. The new kit features a bold purple and gold color scheme — the unmistakable colors of the Los Angeles Lakers, Bryant’s lifelong team — fused with subtle elements of Barça’s identity.
A Tribute Etched in Fabric
Designed in collaboration with Nike, the jersey boasts a deep royal purple base, accentuated with gold trim along the collar, sleeves, and club crest. The number “24” — Bryant’s iconic number — is subtly embossed into the fabric pattern across the kit, visible only under certain light. On the inside of the collar, the phrase “Mamba Mentality” is stitched in Catalan: Mentalitat Mamba.
“Bryant embodied the spirit of relentless dedication, excellence, and global influence — values that align with the ethos of FC Barcelona,” said club president Joan Laporta during the unveiling at the Spotify Camp Nou. “This kit is not just a tribute to a basketball icon, but a message to all young athletes: greatness transcends sport.”
Global Influence
The collaboration was inspired in part by Kobe’s documented admiration for FC Barcelona and players like Ronaldinho and Messi, as well as his long-standing relationship with Nike. In his final years, Kobe also expressed interest in investing in European football and visited Barcelona’s training grounds more than once.
The kit launch was accompanied by a short film featuring current Barça stars Pedri, Gavi, and João Félix practicing at the Ciutat Esportiva while wearing the new strip, intercut with archival footage of Kobe’s workouts, speeches, and visits to Barcelona. The film ends with the message: Legends never fade. They inspire.
Fans React
Reactions from both the football and basketball worlds have been overwhelmingly positive. Lakers legend Pau Gasol, who also played in Barcelona and was one of Kobe’s closest friends, called the kit “an emotional and beautiful tribute.” Fans have already nicknamed it the “Mamba Kit,” and pre-orders have soared within hours of the release.
Limited Edition Collector’s Version
To honor the occasion, FC Barcelona will release a limited-edition collector’s version of the kit featuring both the Barça crest and a commemorative Kobe Bryant patch, with proceeds going to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
As FC Barcelona enters a new season with young talent and bold ambition, the Mamba spirit will live on — not just in the hearts of fans, but now, stitched into every pass, sprint, and goal.