Barcelona risk fan backlash after breaking 44-year tradition with new away kit

Barcelona have risked facing backlash from fans after releasing their new white away kit for the 23/24 season.

The Catalan club will wear white on their travels for the first time since the late 1970s.

Barcelona have said that the new kit has been inspired by legend Johan Cruyff, who was the main star of the team the last time they wore white.

On their website, the club said: “Barcelona introduces their second kit for the 2023/24 season, which has an innovative design that pays tribute to the man who developed Barca’s playing style, Johan Cruyff.

“This isn’t the first time Barca has used the colour for their kits. Players like Alcántara, Samitier, César and Kubala, among others, already wore a white jersey between the 1920s and 1970s.”

It continued: “When it comes to Cruyff - who developed a new brand of playing style for FC Barcelona - he also wore white on several occasions, like on 1 March 1978 during a UEFA Cup game against Aston Villa, when he captained and led the team.”

Fans were quick to react on social media as Barcelona will be wearing a white kit which is similar to the home colours of their rivals Real Madrid.

One said: “Who in Nike thought it was a good idea to have Barcelona in whites.”

Another tweeted: “What sought of rubbish fashion sense is this?”

A third fan added: “Wearing white so La Liga referees think we are Real Madrid.”

Someone else wrote: “Why are we going to be looking like Real Madrid?”

Whilst a fifth commented: “Bro think they Real Madrid.”

Barcelona have so far won 2-0 against Vissel Kobe as they prepare for the new season.

Over the next few weeks, the Catalan giants will be up against the likes of Arsenal, Madrid, AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur before starting their La Liga campaign on 13 August.

Thoughts on Barcelona’s new kit? Let us know in the comments.