Barcelona to wear white jersey for the first time in 44 years

Barcelona pays tribute to Johan Cruyff with a white jersey after 44 years. Details on the historic kit and upcoming matches.

Barcelona has launched a white away kit, making it the first time in 44 years that the Blaugrana will wear Real Madrid's colors. (Photo credit: ESPN)

In what is reported to be a tribute to club legend Johan Cruyff, Barcelona will wear a white kit for the first time in 44 years when they face Arsenal in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

"Based on the second kit worn by the club during the 1970s, the jersey is predominantly white, featuring red and blue stripes on the sleeves, "Barcelona revealed in a statement.

"The pioneering figure of Cruyff has provided the inspiration for this kit.

Players like [Paulino] Alcantara, [Josep] Samitier, Cesar Rodriguez, and [Laszlo] Kubala, among others, also wore a white jersey with the club between the 1920s and 1970s."

The last time Barca wore the colour competitively was in a 1979 European Cup Winners' Cup tie against Ipswich Town. White is Real Madrid’s trademark, and the rivalry between the two top clubs is well documented.

There has been speculation in the past that the Catalan side would opt for a white change strip, although they have previously steered away from it due to its link to Madrid.

Barca sported a grey kit with the Blaugrana cross last year, a bridge to this season's white jersey; however, president Joan Laporta gave kit manufacturers Nike the green light to move ahead with the production of a white away shirt for the 2023–24 season.

The renowned club badge features a glittering diamond graphic as a nod to the design of the original crest that FC Barcelona Femeni first used more than 50 years ago.

Barca's first friendly in the United States, against Juventus in Santa Clara, was called off last weekend due to the outbreak of a viral bug among the players. 

They have recovered for Wednesday's match against Arsenal, though, with Madrid to follow in a Clasico in Dallas on Saturday. They then close their preseason tour against AC Milan in Las Vegas next Tuesday.