History and Legacy of FC Barcelona's Iconic 2013 Away Jersey

The History Behind Barcelona's Iconic 2013 Away Shirt

In the summer of 2013, FC Barcelona unveiled a new away kit that immediately caught the eyes of fans around the world. The shirt featured bold yellow and red vertical stripes, a retro design that paid homage to one of the most legendary teams in Barça's decorated history.

The 2013-2014 season marked the club's 115th anniversary, and Nike looked to celebrate that milestone by bringing back elements from the past. Specifically, the 2013 away kit was inspired by Barça's striped shirts from the late 1970s during the era of Johan Cruyff.

Johan Cruyff and Barça's Stripes

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff joined Barcelona as a player in 1973, leading the club through one of its most successful periods. With Cruyff as the star attraction playing a style of soccer that the world had never seen, Barça claimed their first La Liga title in 14 years in 1974.

The core of that championship-winning side wore bold striped shirts in the colors of the Catalan flag - yellow and red. Those jerseys became synonymous with Barça's attacking style of play and were worn through 1978, as the club added another La Liga trophy and their first Copa del Rey in Cruyff's final season.

Cruyff would later return to Barcelona as manager and lead the famous "Dream Team" to European Cup glory in 1992. But those original striped kits hold a special place in the club's heart, representing a transformative era for Barça.

Bringing Back the Stripes in 2013

When designing their kits for the 2013-2014 campaign, Nike looked to tap into Barcelona's rich history. With the club approaching its 115th birthday, the kit manufacturers decided to pay tribute by bringing back the classic striped design.

The shirt they created featured the same yellow and red vertical stripes in a nod to Cruyff. But the cut and fit was modernized with Nike's innovative Dri-FIT technology to give the players lightweight breathability.

The stripes themselves had a unique zig-zag design, creating a hypnotizing optical effect. This gave the shirt a modern look while still honoring Barça's past.

Why the Striped Shirt Was an Instant Hit

As soon as the 2013 away kit was revealed, it became an immediate hit with supporters. Fans recognized the homage to Cruyff and that successful 1970s era, creating an emotional connection to the past.

The bold stripes were also a major change from Barcelona's typical plain blue and red home kits. The vibrant yellow and red made the shirt stand out, appealing to fans who wanted something different.

On top of that, the zig-zag pattern just looked cool - lending an energetic, youthful vibe. The shirt perfectly straddled the line between retro and modern.

Legacy on the Pitch

The 2013-2014 season would prove to be a memorable one for Barça in their iconic striped kit. Led by the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Pedro, Barcelona played some of their best soccer that year.

They would go on to win La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup in 2013-14. But it was in the Champions League that the away strip created some of the most memorable highlights.

Against Manchester City in the Round of 16, Barça put on a masterclass in their yellow and red stripes - beating the Premier League club 4-1 on aggregate. Messi and company also wore the away kit when they knocked out Atlético Madrid in the quarters.

Sadly, Barcelona would fall to Atlético in the next round. But despite missing out on the Champions League final, the 2013-14 season added to the iconic shirt's lore.

The Striped Shirt's Lasting Popularity

While every kit only gets one season on the pitch, the 2013 away shirt left a lasting impact. Barcelona brought back a similar striped design the following year due to its massive popularity.

In the years since, the original 2013 shirt has become a collectors' item with diehard Culés. It represents both a pivotal season in the club's history and a design that flawlessly blended retro style with modern flair.

Anytime fans see those zig-zagging yellow and red stripes, it invokes nostalgia for Cruyff and one of Barcelona's most celebrated teams. The 2013 away kit has rightfully taken its place as one of the most iconic shirts, not only in Barça history, but football history.

FAQs

Why did Barcelona release a striped away kit in 2013?

The striped design paid homage to the classic Barça kits worn by Johan Cruyff's teams in the 1970s during a hugely successful era for the club. The 2013-14 season marked FC Barcelona's 115th anniversary, so Nike looked to celebrate that milestone by bringing back a retro design.

What was unique about the stripes on the 2013 away kit?

While they used the same yellow and red colors, the stripes had a zig-zag pattern that created a cool optical effect. This gave the retro design a modern look and feel.

Why did fans love the striped kit so much?

The bold, vibrant stripes were a change from Barça's typical kits and evoked nostalgia for a legendary era in the club's history. The hypnotic zig-zag pattern also appealed to fans who wanted something new and stylish.

What trophies did Barcelona win wearing the striped kit?

In the 2013-14 season, Barcelona won La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup wearing the away striped kit. Some of their most memorable Champions League highlights that season also came in the yellow and red shirt.

Why is the 2013 kit considered an iconic shirt?

The away shirt is today a collectors' item that represents both a special season in Barça history and a brilliant fusion of retro design with modern innovations. It invoked Cruyff's teams while looking stylishly modern.