Kobe x Barça: Nike Unveils FC Barcelona-Inspired Air Force 1 Protro

continue to honour indelible legacy with the upcoming release of the Protro ‘FC Barcelona’ – a sneaker merging the Black Mamba’s basketball dominance with his lifelong love of football.

Kobe Bryant’s admiration for FC Barcelona ran deeper than a pre-game jersey swap. The Black Mamba regularly linked with the squad during their US tours, chopped it up with legends like Ronaldinho and Messi, and even soaked in the vibes at Camp Nou. His bond with the Blaugrana was the real deal – and now, that respect is laced into sneaker lore once more.

The Protro update arrives in a rich, purple, snakeskin-textured upper – an ode to the club’s signature hue. A glossy black jewel Swoosh and Kobe’s Sheath logo command the heel, while FC Barcelona’s crest adorns the tongue and insole for full-blown Blaugrana energy. Beneath the foot, a drop-in ReactX foam insole ensures the AF-1 Protro delivers modern performance without sacrificing its archival feel.

The Catalan club is no stranger to sneaker culture. Nike previously celebrated FC Barcelona with a series of limited releases, including the recent three-way collaboration with Dutch tastemakers Sneakerheads will also remember the super-rare from 2009, and Barcelona remixes of the in 2015 – a homage to the 1992 Olympics and the unstoppable Dream Team of the early 90s. Of course, the club colours have also graced several of Kobe’s signatures over the years.

Set to retail for $150, the Nike Air Force 1 Low Protro ‘FC Barcelona’ is expected to land over the coming months.

For more on Kobe Bryant, make sure to , a colourway infused with LA Lakers energy.