Barcelona’s away kit for next season is an abomination

Barcelona supporters who have waited more than half a year for a “spectacular” 2026-27 away strip have been left staring at a steep let-down. Leaked images published by the kit-tracking X account @memorabilia1899 reveal that the once-anticipated purple-and-gold masterpiece has morphed into a black-to-purple gradient design that many fans are already branding a monstrosity.

The new shirt will carry forward the club’s second-year partnership with Nike’s Kobe Bryant “Mamba” collection, but early reactions suggest it falls well short of the current campaign’s popular gold alternate kit and bears little resemblance to the dazzling prototypes that first circulated in autumn. While initial leaks sparked excitement, the revised look has been greeted with widespread disappointment across social media, with several supporters declaring an intention to skip the purchase entirely.

As with most radical kit launches, opinions may soften once the jerseys hit the pitch, yet the prevailing mood is one of frustration after months of heightened expectation. Barcelona have yet to confirm an official release date, but the club is expected to unveil the strip in the coming weeks.