Barcelona and Kobe Bryant – A bond beyond sports | OneFootball

Barcelona have unveiled their away kit for the 2025/26 season, and this one is not just another jersey. It carries a story. It carries emotion. It carries the spirit of a legend whose passion for sport inspired millions across the globe.

This kit pays a heartfelt tribute to none other than the late Kobe Bryant, the NBA icon whose connection to Barça went far beyond admiration from afar.

The kit, created in partnership with Nike and the Kobe Bryant brand, blends Barça’s identity with the soul of “Mamba Mentality.”

At its centre lies the Kobe Sheath logo, etched in a snakeskin texture with 3D silicone relief, representing everything Bryant stood for: focus, intensity, and perseverance.

Even though Kobe tragically passed away in January 2020, his presence still lingers not only in the hearts of basketball fans but also among Barça supporters.

His legacy lives on through the Kobe Bryant Estate, which continues to work with Nike to honour his memory in meaningful ways. This jersey is not just a piece of clothing, it is a bridge between two worlds that Kobe loved deeply.

A bond that was always real

Kobe Bryant had a deep affection for Barcelona. (Photo Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

Kobe Bryant wasn’t just an admirer of FC Barcelona. He felt part of it. He shared a strong emotional bond with the club that few people knew ran so deep.

Whether it was through his admiration for players like Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, or his personal visits to the training ground, Kobe made his love for Barça public and personal.

In 2006, 2007, 2011, and again in 2015, Kobe visited the Barcelona squad during their various tours in the United States and even in Spain. He did not just watch from the sidelines, he participated.

He exchanged jerseys, posed for photos, and spoke with players like Andres Iniesta and club staff. His respect was genuine. His admiration, heartfelt.

He once admitted in interviews that Barcelona’s style of play reminded him of the Los Angeles Lakers under Phil Jackson – a team that played with vision, chemistry, and trust. For Kobe, watching Barça wasn’t just entertainment. It was inspiration.

“You could compare them with us [the Lakers] when we won with our offensive triangle,” he said back in 2016.

One of the most touching aspects of his connection to Barcelona came through his friendship with Pau Gasol, a Spanish basketball great and a beloved figure in the Barça basketball community.

Kobe often said that if he were ever to leave the NBA, it would be to play for Barcelona’s basketball team. While that dream never materialised, it showed how closely he identified with the club’s spirit.

A tribute that goes beyond words

Barcelona have paid tribute to Kobe Bryant. Picture courtesy: FC Barcelona official website

Following his untimely passing in 2020, Barcelona paid tribute to Kobe in a way that showed the depth of their bond.

Through heartfelt messages on their official platforms, they mourned the loss of a global legend who had always stood with them in spirit.

Now, with this 2025/26 away kit, the club has gone one step further. They have transformed memory into fabric, honour into design.

Fans who wear this jersey won’t just be supporting Barça, they will be wearing a piece of Kobe’s legacy. And in doing so, they will carry the flame of a man whose love for excellence and sport continues to inspire both on the court and the pitch.