Olivia Rodrigo is set to become the latest music superstar to feature on Barcelona’s famous blaugrana shirt, with the American singer gracing the front of the jersey for May’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.
The two old rivals lock horns at Camp Nou on 10 May. And thanks to Barca’s ongoing sponsorship deal with Spotify, the shirts will carry a special design dedicated to the 23 year old pop sensation.
She is also expected to be in attendance. Front row. Taking it all in. Just another day at the office for one of the world’s biggest stars.
From Ed Sheeran to Olivia Rodrigo
Barcelona have form here. Ed Sheeran. Drake. Rosalía. The Rolling Stones. Coldplay. Karol G. Travis Scott. All of them have had their moment on the Barca shirt.
Now it is Rodrigo’s turn.
The deal with Spotify allows the streaming giant to rotate artists for high profile matches, turning the shirt into a moving billboard for whoever is topping the charts that month. It is clever. It is commercial. And it gets people talking.
What’s at stake?
The game itself is not without significance. Barcelona currently hold a nine point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. They are hot favourites to retain their title.
Madrid won the league meeting at the Bernabeu earlier this season. But Barca gained revenge in January, beating their rivals 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.
This one? It could be the night Barcelona wrap up the title. Or the night Madrid keep their faint hopes alive.
Either way, the shirts will look different. And Rodrigo will be watching.
The bottom line
Barcelona have seven games left in La Liga before El Clasico. Celta Vigo, Getafe and Osasuna stand in their way before the big one.
Rodrigo will have her name written all over the shirt. The fans will either love it or hate it. That is how these things work.
But one thing is certain: when Camp Nou fills up on 10 May, all eyes will be on the front of the jersey. Not just the back.
Olivia Rodrigo meets El Clasico. Football and pop culture colliding once again. Welcome to modern Barcelona.
