One of the most anticipated rivalries to exist in sports, soccer clubs FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have gone head-to-head in matches that date as far back as the 1930s. In the last ten years alone, the two teams have faced each other 56 times, Barcelona leading victories with 23 versus Real Madrid’s 17. There is no doubt that the rivalry exudes passion and controversy, and with renowned, perhaps infamous, players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, how can it not?
Critics often analyze Barcelona and Real Madrid by their players and matches, but we’re taking a refreshing approach by creating a more in-depth discussion on their uniforms. Yes, their uniforms! For most teams, the fundamental value of uniforms is to create a sense of community—to foster an identity with said community and establish who’s who, both on and off the field.
Here’s our quick uniform breakdown of FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid:
FC Barcelona stays true to their roots, and it shows, what with the traditional stripes they’ve boasted since the early 1900s. From their classic look down to their crest, Barca (short for FC Barcelona) shows rich history and formidable intent. Today, Barca’s current jersey offers a collar with a v-shaped accent and colors that represent the Senyera flag. Barca’s uniforms are, in essence, not just uniforms; they are symbols of history, strength and determination.
Like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid represents history on their bodies and, consequently, onto the field. Unlike FC Barcelona, however, Real Madrid’s look is more simple and perhaps less daunting to the eye. Their black-and-white jerseys are traditional but not boring. We were excited to see a shift in their look this past year when they added a rugby-like collar, creating clean lines for the jersey’s neckline and the team’s overall appearance.
While we can’t deny both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid’s uniforms speak volumes of their own, Real Madrid’s uniforms take the cake with their minimal look that still makes a big impact on the field. The rugby collar looked beautiful on France’s kits at the 2014 World Cup and continues to have the same effect through their shirts. With recent trends heading toward minimalism and simplicity, Madrid was able to adapt and represent their own sense of community through a simplistic beauty.
Which uniforms do you prefer: FC Barcelona or Real Madrid? Tell us in the comments below.
