Why Barcelona Are Being Forced to Play Against PSG in Last Season’s Kit

Despite having three different kits released for the 2026/27 season, which will be worn across Champions League and La Liga action, Barcelona have been forced to pull a shirt from last season out of the wardrobe ahead of their fixture against European champions PSG on Tuesday night.

Ever since their original sponsorship and stadium naming rights deal with Spotify officially began in July 2022, the Spanish giants have boasted some of the most eye-catching kits in world football.

They have collaborated with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, the Rolling Stones and Drake. This season, however, has seen them go back to basics, with a traditional red-and-blue home shirt, a dark purple and black away kit created in collaboration with Kobe Bryant’s brand, and a teal third shirt that pays homage to the club’s 1990s era.

With such a proud history, the Catalans are never afraid to hark back to the glory days in their designs. However, while the 2025/26 campaign proved a success, with Barcelona securing a domestic treble, their return to their bright orange shirt has come about for an entirely different reason this time around – and it has nothing to do with paying tribute to the past.

Why Barca Must Play in Last Seaosn’s Kit vs PSG

REUTERS/Bruna Casas

Barcelona were initially expected to debut their new green and teal third kit for the 2026/27 season this week, but UEFA kit officials and television broadcast coordinators reportedly ruled it unsuitable because its colours were too similar to PSG’s traditional dark navy home kit.

With their iconic Blaugrana home kit, dark purple away kit and the new teal design all also considered too similar to PSG’s colours, Barcelona had to look beyond their usual three-kit options.

As it goes, though, the club has retained their bright orange, Total 90-inspired third kit from the 2025/26 season as a registered backup fifth kit for the 2026/27 campaign. That decision now gives them an alternative to avoid kit clashes and ensure clear visibility during the match.

But the decision from UEFA has caused some controversy, given that Man City, in a sky blue shirt similar to Barcelona’s teal strip, was allowed in their recent 4-2 defeat to Les Parisiens. See below:

Can Hansi Flick’s Side Challenge PSG for Champions League Title?

While PSG have won back-to-back Champions League titles – and look good value to retain it for a second time – many onlookers believe it’s finally time for Hansi Flick’s side to win their first major European trophy since 2014.

The Spanish giants have long had the quality in attack to take on any side in the competition, and the acquisition of Rodri over the summer undoubtedly makes them a far more rounded side.

As good in defence and midfield as they’ve always been at the top end of the pitch now, it could be time for Barcelona to turn their recent domestic dominance into European success again.

In La Liga, they’ve won all nine of their matches so far, scoring a staggering 39 goals while only shipping nine the other way. They’ve also won their first two Champions League matches of the season at a canter – a 5-1 triumph over Feyenoord, and a 4-1 win at Galatasaray.