EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FC BARCELONA

On October 22, 1899, Hans Kamper placed an advertisement in a local newspaper claiming his wish to form a football club; a few positive
answers led to a meeting at the Gimnasio Solé on November 29th. Eleven players attended, led by Joan Gamper. FC Barcelona was created.

The club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism through the years, with the motto “Més que un club” (More than a club).

The club has long been controversial due to its revolutionary spirit during both Primo de Rivera´s and Francisco Franco´s dictatorships. The symbols born by the club as well as its identity clearly show the catalán nationalism.

Unlike many other football clubs, the supporters own and operate Barcelona. Barcelona is the most successful club in Spain, in terms of overall official titles won (82). Barcelona was also ranked first in the “All-Time Club World Ranking” by IFFHS, on 31 December 2009, and was placed on top of the 2012/13 UEFA club rankings. The club is one of the most supported teams in the world, and has the largest fan base among all sports teams on all major social networks.

THE HISTORY OF THE JERSEY AND THE FLAG

As you may see, the logo of FC Barcelona has largely evolved from 1899 to 1910 and has remained approximately the same afterwards. The
club’s original crest was a quartered diamond-shaped crest topped by the Crown of Aragon and the bat of King James, and surrounded by two branches, one of a laurel tree and the other a palm. The new crest represents the St George Cross in the upper-left corner with the Catalan flag beside it, and the team colours at the bottom. Regarding the colours of the shirts, several inspiration have been mentioned but it is commonly said that the colours were chosen by Joan Gamper himself and represent his home team, FC Basel.

Before the 2011/2012 season, Barcelona used to avoid corporate sponsorship on their jerseys. On 14 July 2006, the club announced a five-year agreement with UNICEF, which included the UNICEF logo on their shirts. The club also commited to donating €1.5 million per year to UNICEF. Barcelona ended their refusal of corporate sponsorship before the 2011/12 season, signing a five-year €150m deal with Qatar Sports Investments. Such an agreement meant that the club bear the Qatar Foundation logo on the club’s shirt; it was then replaced by Qatar Airways for the 2013/14 season.

DID YOU KNOW?

FC Barcelona is full of secrets and unpopular facts that have been kept through years. For example, did you know that the nickname of FCB supporters is bum? Did you know that FC Barcelona is a symbol of rebellion against the Franco dictatorship? Did you know that The Clasico is the second most watched match worldwide? Come and read this article to discover some amazing facts about the most famous football club in the world.

CAMP NOU STADIUM

The legendary stadium is a must see attraction for all FC Barcelona lovers. Such building has welcomed some of the greatest football players in the world and has hosted the greatest matches of all times. Yet, some interesting and funny facts are hidden behind the mythical walls of the renowned football temple.

1. The first FC Barcelona Stadium was located near the current location of the Camp Nou Stadium but was too small to host all supporters.
2. The Camp nou was built in 1957. With a capacity of 98.000 seats, it is Europe largest stadium and the third largest stadium in the world.
3. Camp Nou´s size was once the same size as the Maracana Staidum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the largest stadium in the world with a 120.000 capacity. For safety reasons, the FC Barcelona Stadium had to be reduced.
4. The large roof of the Camp Nou slows down the growth of the gras son the field and has to be regularly changed.
5. A renovation Project held by the architect Norman Foster was introduced to modernize the stadium and to increase the capacity of the Camp Nou to 103.000 seats. In addition, a glass roof was added to enable more sunlight to enter the football temple.
6. The renovation project of the stadium has an estimated cost over €300 million.
7. Did you know that “Camp Nou” means “New Stadium” in Catalan?
8. The first oficial match within the Camp Nou took place on October 6th, 1957 against Real Jaén. The result was a heavy victory for the FC Barcelona, 6-1.
9. In 1992, the Camp Nou hosted the Olympic games and La Roja, the Spain national football team, defeated Poland 3-2.

THE CLUB ITSELF

1. FC Barcelona supporters are called “culés”; the word means “ass” in Catalan. According to the legend, during the twenties in the former Stadium in Les Corts, passerbys could see the bum of supporters sat in the highest row of the stadium.
2. The club was founded by Joan Gamper, a Swiss football lover, on November 29th, 1899.
3. The motto of the club, “Mes que un Club” was a symbol of Catalan nationalism especially during Franco´s dictatorship.
4. Under Franquismo, the Catalan language and symbols were banned. In 1939, the football team was also forced to change their name to Club de Football Barcelona. The Catalan flag was removed form the shield of the club. Yet, at this time, the Stadium remained one of the rare places where Catalan could be spoken and Catalan flag could be shown freely.
5. It was only in 1974 when the club changed its name back to Futbol Club Barcelona.
6. The President of the FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, a self-proclaimed nationalist, requires all foreign players to learn Catalan. Yet, some famous players are not required to speak it such as Lionel “Leo” Messi, who spoke Catalan once, when he was drunk after a FC Barcelona win, and through a megaphone.
7. In 2007, Laporta dedicated some tickets for the FC Barcelona vs. Real Madrid game to Federació Lull, an organization which promotes the spread of the Catalan language.
8. Since its creation, the Fútbol Club Barcelona has refused to advertize corporate sponsors on their jersey.
9. On July 14th, 2006 the club signed an agreement with Unicef that included the organization´s logo for the first time in the club history. The FC Barcelona donated €1.5 million each year to the organization as part of the 5-years agreement.
10. In 2013, the club changed its sponsors and clearly shows the Qatar Airways/Foundation logo.
11. FC Barcelona is the football club with the most Ballon d´or winners in the world –a prize granted to the best football player of the year, worldwide- with 10 cups.
12. We usually forget about it but FC Barcelona is not the only football club of the Catalan capital city. RCD Espanyol was founded by Spanish football fans and is against FC Barcelona, arguing that the team is full of foreigners. For long, the RCD Espanyol has been a rival of FC Barcelona; during the Franco´s dictatorship, the club cultivated the compliance to the central authority while FC Barcelona had a revolutionary spirit.
13. FC Barcelona is the world’s second-richest football club in terms of revenue, with an annual turnover of $613 million, and the third most valuable sports team worldwide, worth $2.6 billion.

RIVALRY WITH REAL MADRID FC – EL CLÁSICO

1. The two most successful Spanish football teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are fierce competitors. The rivalry is said to come from Franco’s dictatorship. FC Barcelona represented an opposition to Franquismo while Real Madrid was a symbol of nationalism and was supported by the regime and the dictator itself. Yet, another explanation for such competition is that those two cities are the largest and richest in Spain. Both clubs are also the most prolific.
2. With Franco in attendance, the club defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at the Copa del Generalismo final in 1968. The club’s coach at the time, Salvador Artigas, was a Republican pilot during the Spanish Civil War.
3. There have been 227 official confrontations between the two teams since the first Clasico on May 13th, 1902 (apart from friendly matches). Real Madrid won more matches; 91 wins for Real Madrid, 88 for FC Barcelona and 48 draws. Moreover, there have been 752 goals scored during Clasicos so far with an average of 3.3 goals per game. Yet, Real Madrid FC scored more than FC Barcelona, 384 goals vs. 368 for the Catalan club.
4. Both teams counts the 2 greatest football players of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo (2 ballons d´or) and Lionel Messi (4 Ballons d´or).
5. The Clasico is the second most watched football game worldwide after the Champions League final.
6. Interesting fact, the game forms part of the cultural events of the year in Palestine, surprisingly home of one of the largest FC Barcelona fans´communities worldwide. Thousands of supporters are expected to go to bars to watch the game. “We can identify with the Catalans and their struggle against against the great power of Madrid, as we struggle against Israel” a supporter told the BBC.

WHAT YOU SHOULD VISIT

BODEGA FC SHOPS

In Barcelona you may find a lot of shops selling FC Barcelona equipment or objects related to the Catalan club. These shops are usually named FC Botiga and are the official stores that sell all articles from the club.

There is a real passion for the Blaugrana team that you can feel in every street of the Catalan capital city, with a lot of locals wearing the jersey of FC Barcelona. A lot of non-official shops also sell products related to the club.

CAMP NOU STADIUM

Of course, the most renowned place where you can feel the spirit of FC Barcelona is the Camp Nou Stadium. Located in Carrer d’Aristides Maillol, 12. To get there, you can take the L3 metro, Palau Reial or Les Corts stop and the L5 metro, Collblanc or Badal stop. There you can visit the stadium as well as the FCB Museum with the Camp Nou Experience Tour.

Opening hours
-May 01 – October 12: from 9:30am to 19.30pm the whole week.
-October 13 – December 21: from 10:00am to 18:30pm from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00am to 14.30pm on Sunday.

Prices
-Adults: €23
-From 6 to 13yo: €17
-Students: €17
-Over 70yo: €17
-Disabled: €17
-Large family: €17
-Supporter card: €17
-FCB members and under 6yo: free

You can buy tickets online or at offices/machines located in the Stadium.

The Barcelona FC Camp Nou Experience tour gives you the opprotunity to discover the Stadium from another angle and gives you access to the ‘behind the scenes’ action at the club as well as access to the FC museum and the multimedia centre.

There is no guide, you are free to plan your personal tour (yet, there are some places where the access is forbidden to public). Audio-guides can also be purchased to get more knowledge about the place. Here is what you can visit:

1. 3D experience
   This is a 3D show at the beginning of the tour, which objective is to transmit the feeling of being on the football field thanks to real match images shown in 3D.
2. Visitors´ changing room
   You are given the opportunity to visit the visiting team changing room facilities at the Camp Nou Stadium, which are really soft and basic
3. The pressroom where press conferences occur
4. Messi Space
   A special area dedicated to the Argentinian magic football player where his four Ballons d´or and his three Golden Boots are stored. You can also enjoy his goals on big screens.
5. Players´ tunnel
   One of the mytical place of the Stadium where you can feel like FCB player about to enter the pitch supported by a crowd in the background. Really impressive!
6. Camp Nou field
   You are also given the opportunity to discover the magical field, the heart of the Stadium where football superstars play. From there, you will get the most incredible view of the football temple.
7. Commentary boxes
   Where TV and commentators from all over the world broadcast the action.
8. Sports trophies space
   You can discover an area dedicated to other Barcelona teams´ trophies in other sports.
9. FCB Chapel
   Created in 1958 and blessed by Pope John Paul II in 1982, it is a place where players can medítate and pray before matches.
10. FCB Museum
    You can see the 22 cups Liga cups and the 4 Champions League trophies won by the FC Barcelona amongst the past years. You can also learn more about the history of the club as well as its achievements through years. There are screens, trophies and interactive tables to get more knowledge.
11. Others
    Other areas include a 35 meters passage full of big screens where you can show the greatest achievements of the last football seasons. There is also touch screens to experience the most magical moments of the club. Then, there is the Barça Rain, a place full of big screens which display audiovisuals from players, members and fans. Eventually, the Qatar Airways area where you can learn more about the tricks used by players for the famous commercial of the brand .

NEW PLAYER ARRIVALS FOR THE 2014-15 SEASON

Marc-André Ter Stegen – The German, 22 years old player, who has played in Borrussia M´Gladbach so far, just arrived at FC Barcelona. He is a goalkeeper, who has also played for the national German team ans was bought for €12 million and for a duration of 5 years.

Ivan Rakitic – the 26 years old Croatian midfield who has played for Sevilla FC and Shalke 04 just arrived at the Camp Nou Stadium. He has played 65 matches for its National team and scored 12 goals in 34 matches last season. He was bought for €18 million and for a duration of 4 years.

Claudio Bravo – the famous 31 years old Chilean goalkeeper, who has played 83 matches for the national Chilean team and has played in Real Sociedad for 8 years, was bought for €12 million and for a duration of 4 years.

CALENDAR FOR THE 2014-2015 SEASON

August
08/24/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Elche
08/31/2014 – Villareal vs FC Barcelona
September
09/14/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
09/21/2014 – Levante vs FC Barcelona
09/24/2014 – Málaga vs FC Barcelona
09/28/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Granada CF
October
10/05/2014 – Rayo Vallecano vs FC Barcelona
10/19/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Eibar
10/26/2014 – Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona
November
11/02/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Celta de Vigo
11/09/2014 – Almería vs FC Barcelona
11/23/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Sevilla
11/30/2014 – Valencia vs FC Barcelona
December
12/07/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Espanyol
12/14/2014 – Getafe vs FC Barcelona
12/21/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Cordóba
January 
01/04/2015 – Real Sociedad vs FC Barcelona
01/11/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid
01/18/2015 – Deportiva de la Coruña vs FC Barcelona
01/25/2015 – Elche vs FC Barcelona
February
02/01/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Villarreal
02/08/2015 – Atletic Bilbao vs FC Barcelona
02/15/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Levante
02/22/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Málaga
March
03/01/2015 – Granada CF vs FC Barcelona
03/08/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano
03/15/2015 – Eibar vs FC Barcelona
03/22/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid
April
04/05/2015 – Celta de Vigo vs FC Barcelona
04/08/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Almería
04/12/2015 – Sevilla vs FC Barcelona
04/19/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Valencia
04/26/2015 – Espanyol vs FC Barcelona
04/29/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Getafe
May
05/03/2015 – Córdoba vs FC Barcelona
05/10/2015 – FC Barcelona vs Real Sociedad
05/17/2015 – Atlético Madrid vs FC Barcelona
05/24/2014 – FC Barcelona vs Deportivo de la Coruña