The account @memorabilia1899 has sparked a real storm on social media after leaking what, according to its sources, will be Barça's special kit for El Clásico. The blaugrana team had planned to debut an exclusive design for that highly publicized match, as has happened in previous seasons. But what was supposed to be a pleasant surprise for Culers has ended up generating a wave of outrage.
The first images went viral within minutes and unleashed a cascade of negative reactions. The design, which mixes dark tones with gold details and a central red stripe, hasn't convinced fans. For many, it completely breaks with the club's classic identity and lacks aesthetic or symbolic sense.
On social media, the comments have been devastating. Phrases like "it looks like a Milan jersey," "the worst I've seen in years," or "it's hideous" are repeated over and over. Even some Barcelona influencers have expressed their disappointment, stating that they won't buy it even if it's released as a limited edition.
A disruptive design that hasn't been well received
The leaked jersey would be intended exclusively for the first Clásico of the season, which will be played at Montjuïc. According to the shared information, the club wanted an "impactful" design, one that would break with the usual and be linked to a special Nike campaign. However, the move seems to have backfired even before becoming official.
The gold on the crest and the numbers, as well as the absence of the traditional blaugrana stripes, are the most criticized points. Many fans believe that the club has lost its way in its marketing strategy with special jerseys. This isn't the first time something similar has happened in recent years.
The comparison with other kits from the past has also done a lot of damage to this leak. Some supporters nostalgically remember the black jersey from the 2011/12 season or the senyera from 2013. But this new proposal generates neither identity nor emotion, according to most of the comments collected.
The club's reaction, for now, is silence
Barça hasn't made any official comments on the matter, although internally they already knew that the design could generate controversy. The leak, however, has forced the timeline to speed up and it will probably be announced earlier than originally planned. Meanwhile, Nike hasn't issued any statement either.
According to sources close to the club's marketing department, the goal was to connect with a more modern and urban aesthetic. They wanted the Clásico jersey to be a collector's item, different and attractive to a young audience. But, at least based on what's been seen so far, the reception is very negative.
The club will have to assess whether it keeps the original design or introduces changes before officially launching it. In past seasons, last-minute corrections have already been seen due to social pressure, although they're not common. For now, everything is hanging in the air, but the impact on the club's image is already evident.
Clásicos, more and more a commercial showcase
The trend of wearing special jerseys for matches against Real Madrid has become established in recent years. Barça and Nike know that those matches generate millions of views and potential sales. That's why every season they take a risk with a kit designed exclusively for that context.
The problem is that the result doesn't always connect with the club's historical values or with the fans' taste. That is what seems to be happening this time, with a design that has caused more rejection than excitement. Social media have served as an immediate thermometer of Culer discontent.
El Clásico doesn't have a definitive date yet, but it's already heating up with this unexpected controversy. All because of a jersey that, instead of uniting Barcelona fans, has caused division and frustration. Now it remains to be seen whether the club listens to its supporters' outcry or goes ahead with the planned approach.