FC Barcelona’s badge is one of the most recognizable symbols in world soccer, instantly associated with the club’s rich history, Catalan identity and iconic blue-and-red colors.
Featuring the famous “FCB” initials, the St. George’s Cross, the Catalan flag, the club’s traditional stripes and the classic soccer ball at its base, the crest has become a global symbol far beyond the streets of Barcelona.
However, the badge seen today is the result of more than a century of evolution. Since the club’s foundation in 1899, Barcelona’s crest has undergone numerous redesigns, with each version reflecting a different era of the club’s growth and identity.
From the original emblem, to the modern design worn around the world today, Sports Illustrated looks back at the history, changes and meaning behind FC Barcelona’s iconic badge.
FC Barcelona Badge Origins
When FC Barcelona was founded in November 1899 by Swiss-born Hans Gamper—better known as Joan Gamper in Catalonia—the club initially did not have a badge of its own.
Instead, Barcelona adopted the city’s official coat of arms as its first emblem. The design featured a diamond-shaped shield containing two of Catalonia’s most important symbols: the red-and-yellow stripes of the Crown of Aragon and the Cross of Saint George.
FC Barcelona’s First Official Badge
As the club grew, Barcelona looked to create an identity that was uniquely its own. In 1910, the club held a competition to design a new crest, with player Carles Comamala’s proposal ultimately being selected.
His design introduced many of the elements that remain associated with Barcelona today: the shield shape, the Catalan flag, the Cross of Saint George, the club’s blue-and-red colors and the “F.C.B.” initials across the center. The bottom section also featured the famous Blaugrana stripes, representing the colors of the team’s early kits.
Alterations
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