The name Barcelona is mentioned and for many the first thing that comes to mind is the team. To some, it is the best team in the world. FC Barcelona or Barça as it is referred to by fans is one of the most successful football clubs not just in Spain but in the rest of the world. FC Barcelona was founded on November 29, 1899 by Hans-Max Gamper or Joan Gamper as he is known by most. The club has become more of a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. Barça is not just a club. Barça is a way of life, an inspiration, a reminder to keep fighting and to never give up. Their motto “Més que un club” means just that to many fans, more than a club.
Barcelona is considered one of the greatest clubs in the world but not only for their titles and victories. FC Barcelona is a club of values. Many values are instilled in the players at a young age. Many of the players playing in Barcelona are homegrown players, those who have been playing for FC Barcelona their whole life. Barcelona has a youth academy called La Masia where education is taken very seriously. Boys are admitted at a young age where they not only practice and play football but they also attend school. La Masia takes education very seriously because they know that most players admitted to La Masia do not make it to Barça. They want those who do not make it to be able to go on and do something else with their life, sometimes it’s things that do not relate to football. It was started by one of the best players to have played for FC Barcelona, Johan Cruyff. The majority of the players currently playing for FC Barcelona went through La Masia.
As Francisco Franco came into power, the Catalans suffered greatly under his rule. He preferred current rival team Real Madrid and they were even referred to as “Franco’s white army.” He banned the use of Catalan and often times used to his power to help Real Madrid achieve their goals. Many FC Barcelona fans are proud of the team because even through the hardships they have had to overcome they have still become one of the most successful clubs, teaching fans that even when the world is against one, one has to keep fighting. To this day the Clásico, the match between FC Barcelona’s biggest rival Real Madrid, is one of the most important matches in the world. It is not just two teams playing a game; it represents the hardships the Catalans had to suffer. It is a game to let everyone know, that even after everything FC Barcelona has been through they are still here and they are still strong.
FC Barcelona has become a symbol of Catalan culture and pride. During the minute 17:14 of each half many fans, Catalan or not, start yelling “Independencia!” At a Barça game, it is not uncommon to see people with the independence flag. When FC Barcelona plays, it is not just representing great football, it represents the many Catalans who suffered. It represents the current Catalans that have certain problems with identity, that they feel more Catalan than Spanish. It represents the discrimination many Catalans still suffer and the many other fans that even though they are not Catalan they believe in justice.
The hardships Barça has had to overcome are not all relating to the banning of their language and the discrimination. A couple years ago one of Barcelona’s player Eric Abidal was diagnosed with a tumor in his liver. He underwent surgery just a few days later. Just when it was thought that he had beaten it, it came back once again. The club announced that Abidal would have to undergo a liver transplant. His cousin was the donor and in April of 2012 Abidal underwent surgery. On April 6, 2013, 406 days later, Abidal was finally able to play again against Mallorca in a 5-0 home win. Mallorca was not the only defeated that day. Barcelona’s coach Tito Vilanova was also diagnosed with cancer in 2011. It was thought that he had beaten it but in December of 2012 the club announced that Vilanova was suffering from parotid gland cancer for the second time. He too underwent surgery once again and during the Mallorca game Tito Vilanova made his return. Barcelona did not just win that game 5-0 they also beat cancer 4-0. If one asks any Barcelona fan, they will say that the victory does not matter what matters is the health of the players. Tito Vilanova told Abidal something that applies to most of the Barça fans, “Your fight is our strength.” And it is.
Although Barcelona has won their fair share of trophies and championships, every fan knows that is not what makes the club one of the greatest. Barcelona has won many trophies from the Champion’s League to the FIFA Club World Cup. Championships are not always the most important. What makes the team great are the values instilled in the players, to play fair, to be determined and to never give up.
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