Nike Unites Kobe and FC Barcelona in a New Collection That Brings the Mamba Mentality to the Pitch

Nike is announcing a new partnership that joins Kobe Bryant’s legendary Mamba Mentality with FC Barcelona’s unwavering pursuit of excellence to inspire the next generation of athletes around the world.

Born from a shared obsession with relentless self-improvement, the partnership brings the Kobe Sheath to professional football for the first time through a collection that captures the dedication and values central to Kobe’s legacy and Barça’s DNA.

The collaboration celebrates Kobe’s lifelong love for football and admiration for FC Barcelona’s joyful style of play and philosophy. In return, Barça recognizes Kobe as a driving force in global sport who lived by the discipline and drive for greatness that defines the club.

This shared mentality is channeled into Barça’s 2025–26 away kit, which features the Kobe Sheath in place of the traditional Nike Swoosh and takes inspiration from Kobe’s classic on-court looks.

The jersey is awash in a light Team Gold base with Persian Violet and black accents, while the short features a black base with a snakeskin-textured pattern and Persian Violet accents. The jersey’s club crest and Kobe Sheath take on a silicone gloss 3D snakeskin texture, and the uniform’s socks bear a Kobe Sheath over the shin and “Barça” on the calf.

The partnership also includes the new Kobe x FC Barcelona Air Force 1 Protro, Kobe 4 Protro, and post-match slide, as well as a curated selection of co-branded lifestyle apparel.

The Kobe x FC Barcelona collection is brought to life through a campaign inspired by the concept that “Better is the Only Choice.” The hero film, Mamba Rondo, voiced by first-team men's coach Hansi Flick, brings Kobe and Barça’s pursuit of perfection to life through the rondo drill, a staple of Barça’s training philosophy that exemplifies the intensity of the club’s training style and the repetitive drive to push beyond.

Featuring Nike and FC Barcelona athletes Alejandro Balde, Pablo Gavi, Patricia Guijarro, Frenkie de Jong, Ewa Pajor, Salma Paralluelo, Claudia Pina and Alexia Putellas, the film culminates by revealing the Kobe Sheath. This symbolizes the convergence of Kobe x FC Barcelona in their relentless drive to go beyond “good enough” — uniting two of the most emulated in-game mentalities to inspire the next generation of athletes and expand the influence of Kobe’s renowned Mamba Mentality, through the voice of Hansi Flick.

Kobe x FC Barcelona apparel will be available globally beginning July 29 at nike.com, the Barça Official Store and select Nike retail locations. Kobe x Barcelona footwear will launch globally July 31, with select markets following later this summer. The away kit will also debut on pitch July 31, when Barça faces FC Seoul as part of the club’s Asian preseason tour.

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