Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona have unveiled their third away kit for the upcoming 2025-26 season that features the Kobe Sheath, a logo associated with late NBA icon Kobe Bryant, Afrosport reports.
The Catalan giants are kitted by American sportswear giant Nike, however the swoosh logo of Nike will be replaced with the Kobe Sheath, which represents the popular phrase attributed to him: Mamba Mentality.
Bryant is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA, winning five championships and being named two-time NBA Finals MVP. He also made the NBA All-Star team 18 times and was named All-Star MVP four times.
He died in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna and seven other people in Calabasas, California, on January 26, 2020.
“FC Barcelona and Nike make an audacious and iconic move in the world of Club kits. The second jersey for the 2025/26 season will replace the famous ‘Swoosh’ logo of the North American multinational with the ‘Kobe Sheath’ – the sword in the sheath logo that identifies the Kobe Bryant brand,” read a club statement.
“All in all, it is part of a brand collaboration between the NBA legend and FC Barcelona that is born out of a shared culture of sporting excellence characterised Bryant and is also part of FC Barcelona’s DNA. This new development strengthens the link between Nike and FC Barcelona and aims to extend the influence of the ‘Mamba Mentality’ and inspire new generations of athletes both on and off the field.
“This collaboration – which will last three seasons, until 2027/28 – aside from celebrating the spirit of personal betterment and commitment that always characterised Kobe, also aims to remember the basketball star’s love for football, in particular, the style and philosophy of FC Barcelona…”
Better is the only choice. FC Barcelona’s purest expression of footballing perfection meets the constant growth mindset of Mamba Mentality.#NikeFootball @nike @nikefootball pic.twitter.com/7ixX2vJoTf
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 29, 2025
Barcelona commenced pre-season preparations with a friendly against Japanese giants Vissel Kobe, winning the match 3-1. They will continue their tour of Asia against Korean sides FC Seoul and Daegu.
