Barcelona will commemorate the Chinese New year by wearing special shirts against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.

The Catalan giants will mark the first day of the Chinese new year by having their names written in Chinese characters on the back of their shirts.

It is the year of the pig in China, and this week has seen celebrations take place world over.

Barcelona will join in the celebrations in their showdown with Real Madrid, with the club saying:  “[We] will wear some unique shirts in this Wednesday’s game against Real Madrid.

“To commemorate the Chinese New Year, which is being celebrated this week, the shirts will have player names with Chinese characters just below the regular names, the first time that the Club has added new characters on the back of the shirt.

“Also known as the Spring Festival, this traditional festival is the most important of the year in the Chinese calendar, which in 2019 marks the Year of the Pig.

“This year is also an important one for the strategy of establishment of Barca in China, which will experience its most important moment next summer when the first team will visit China and Japan on their preseason tour.”

Barcelona face Real Madrid on Wednesday night in the Copa del Rey semifinal clash. It is the second time both teams will be meeting this season.