Making 'El Clásico' more classic: Barcelona to feature Rolling Stones logo on jersey
El Clásico is taking on a new meaning through FC Barcelona's recent collaboration with a classic rock icon.
The men's team of the world-renowned Spanish soccer club will wear kits featuring The Rolling Stones logo in the latest installment of the rivalry game against Real Madrid on Oct. 28 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in Barcelona. The women's team will wear the shirts in their Nov. 5 game against Sevilla.
FC Barcelona and The Rolling Stones announced the news that the Tongue and Lips will grace the red and blue stripes for Barça on Thursday to celebrate the band's new album, "Hackney Diamonds," their first release of new songs since 2005. In an Instagram video, a girl delivers newspapers with a headline that says "Barça makes deal with The Rolling Stones" while the megahit "Start Me Up" plays in the background. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood (a known West Bromwich Albion fan) appear in a fictional press conference holding up the kits.
The collaboration is through FC Bacelona's partnership with Spotify. The Tongue and Lips logo will replace the streaming service's on the team's jerseys. In the sponsorship deal, the streaming service also has naming rights for Spotify Camp Nou and creates official playlists with the team.
“We’re huge football fans and honoured that Spotify have brought our Tongue & Lips logo to grace the FC Barcelona shirt to celebrate the release of The Stones’ new ‘Hackney Diamonds’ album," The Rolling Stones said in a statement. "We’ll be cheering on the players on the pitch as well as fans around the world who will be tuning in to watch this iconic match.”
“It’s an honor to feature the legendary Rolling Stones on the legendary FC Barcelona shirt," Marc Hazan, Spotify's VP of Partnerships, said in a statement. "Only Spotify could bring The Rolling Stones to the global stage of El Clásico – one of the few stages they haven’t played!”
Spotify is selling 1,899 of the jerseys to commemorate the year the club was established. Fans can pre-register at the team's online store now ahead of the shirt's Monday release. There will also be a clothing collection of T-shirts, hoodies and jackets featuring the Tongue and Cheek logo and other FC Barcelona design elements.
Previously, Spotify replaced its logo with that of other musical artists for both of last season's El Clásico games. Drake's OVO owl was on the front of the shirt for a match in October and Rosalía's "Motomami" album text graced the front for a game in March.