FC Barcelona 11/12 – Home Shirt

The 2011–12 season was FC Barcelona’s 112th year in existence and the 81st consecutive season in the top flight of Spanish football. This season marked the beginning of the club’s partnership with Qatar Foundation as their first-ever paid shirt sponsor, part of a lucrative €170 million deal spanning five-and-a-half years. The UNICEF sponsorship remained, but its logo was moved to the back of the kit, reflecting a shift in the club’s commercial strategy. The team also introduced a striking all-black away kit, retaining the previous season’s third kit.

On the pitch, Barcelona’s season was filled with highs and some uncharacteristic lows. Under Pep Guardiola, in his final campaign as manager, Barcelona were dominant in several competitions but fell short in others. They finished second in La Liga, nine points behind a record-setting Real Madrid team that achieved 100 points. In the UEFA Champions League, Barcelona’s journey ended in the semi-finals after a 3–2 aggregate loss to Chelsea, who went on to win the tournament.

However, Barcelona still claimed silverware, lifting the Copa del Rey with a commanding 3–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the final. They also won the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, underscoring their continued excellence on multiple fronts. Guardiola’s tenure ended with a total of 14 trophies in four seasons, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history.

Lionel Messi delivered an extraordinary season, shattering numerous records. He scored 50 goals in La Liga and an unprecedented 73 across all competitions, further solidifying his place as one of the greatest players in football history. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s under-19 squad participated in the inaugural NextGen Series, finishing top of their group before being eliminated by Ajax in the quarter-finals.

Guardiola’s departure marked the end of an era, with his assistant, Tito Vilanova, set to take over as head coach for the following season. Despite the disappointments in La Liga and the Champions League, the 2011–12 campaign demonstrated Barcelona’s continued dominance and innovation on and off the field.