FC Barcelona is one of the best soccer clubs in the History of the sport. It was funded in 1899 by Joan gamper. Joan gamper was a player and president of the club. He also founded other big teams such as FC Basel and FC Zurich. The Club Stadium, Nou Camp, is located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Now a days the Club is considered among the 3 best team in the world. It has also inspired Millions of people to love the sport. The System and style of playing of FC barcelona, "tiki-taka", have enchanted most of the world. Barcelona is one of the most supported teams in the world and has the largest social media following. FC Barcelona has a great history and sad too. The Club had been affected by Dictatorships and wars. This Soccer Club represents millions of people around the world. FC Barcelona is more than a Club.
the rise of the club:
After the foundation of FC Barcelona, major changes occurred. Barcelona emerged as one of the best teams in Spain, competing in major cups, such as Campeonato de Cataluna, and winning them.The economically and athletically progression was affected in a negative way by the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Who then banned the use of Catalonia language
Joan Camper saved the club from bankruptcy. During Gamper's golden era, FC Barcelona won 11 Campeonato de Catalunia, 6 Copa del Rey and 4 Pyrenees Cup.
On June 14, 1925; FC Barcelona's fans reacted against Rivera's dictatorship, the crowd of the stadium jeered the Royal March. Gamper was forced to leave the presidency of the Club. In 1928 FC Barcelona won the Spanish Cup, and 2 years later, on july 30, 1930, Gamper commited suicide Due to personal and monetary problems. FC Barcelona entered in a period of decline, where political issues overshadowed sport throughout society.
A month after the Spanish civil war began in 1936, a lot of barcelona players enlisted to the military along with Bilbao's players. On august 6, Falangist soldiers murdered FC Barcelona president Josep Sunyol. It changed the history of the Club completely. In the summer of 1937, the squad was on tour in Mexico and United States, where it was recieved as ambassador of the Second Spanish Republic. The tour led to financial security of the club, but it also resulted in half of the club seeking for asylum in Mexico and France, which made it hard for the team to win trophies.
On March 16 1938, Barcelona city was bombarded by the Italian Air Force, causing 3000 deaths, and one of the bombs hitting the clubs office. Barcelona became under occupation and the club suffered a lot of restrictions. They were not allowed to show any symbol of catalanism, nor speak any different language but Spanish. The Club had to change its own name to Club de Futbol Barcelona.
The Beginning of a new era:
In 1978, Jose Lluis was elected as the new president of FC Barcelona. He was the first elected president in the history of the club. His goal was to last 22 years in the presidency. He was criticized for his strict policy regarding wages and discipline and for letting go world class players like Ronaldo and Maradona.
On may 16, 1979, FC Barcelona won its first Winners Cup after winning against Fortuna Dusseldorf 4-3 in Basel. The president started to develop and invest in the club's youth program. In june 1982, Maradona was signed from Boca Juniors. The same season FC Barcelona won La Copa del Rey. Maradona's time in Barcelona was short, so he left to Napoli.
In 1988, Johan Cruyff returned to The club as a coach and created the dream team. Cruyff started to use players from La Masia (Barcelona school soccer team). He won 4 League tittles in a row and a champions league at wembley stadium. That was the first golden era of FC Barcelona after suffering and going through devastating moments.
Team of the century Era:
FC Barcelona continued to be successful as a new president was elected, Laporta, in 2000. Laporta brought home a new manager. His name was Frank Rijkaard, former dutch and AA Milan player. They brought Barcelona back to success with the signings of Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Deco and Rafa Marquez, combined with the home grown players such as Puyol, Andres Iniesta and Xabi.
In 2005-2006 season, FC Barcelona won the champions league final against Arsenal, 2-1. Unfortunately, in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, FC Barcelona finished trophy-less. at the end of 2008, Laporta announced the signing of the new coach, Pep Guardiola. FC Barcelona spent nearly $90 million rebuilding the squad. It was the beginning of the best FC Barcelona team in the history. Pep Guardiola and his team, took FC Barcelona to such a high playing level, that they were the most feared team in the world for 3 consecutive years.
This is the style of soccer that characterized FC Barcelona since Cruiff era. This style of soccer that uses short passes and movements by maintaining the possession. This style has become the most dangerous style in soccer. It consists on keeping the rival team running behind the ball to make them tired, and having complete control of the ball. Many of teams have tried to adopt this style, but it does not always work well for them. It is the beauty behind this sport. Guardiola once said: "Football games start with a ball, and end with the ball".
Here is a link to an important and accurate analysis of this style:
Messi "the main author of this golden era":
Messi was not very healthy and nutritious in his childhood days like the other boys around. He has a diseased that slowed his growth, and he had to inject himself the treatment before his soccer games. His grandmother was his first supporter. She always believed in him and one day she personally told him that he was going to be the best player in the world. Messi started to play for Newels old boys, an Argentinian soccer club. His father always recorded his games. One day, he sent the video tapes of Messi's games to a team member of FC Barcelona. Then he traveled to Barcelona city and then tried out for the u13 team. The club directors had to make a risky decision, because the treament that Messi needed was very expensive. After a month of waiting desepartly, Barcelona Club Managers decided to sign messi.
Lio Messi had a rough start as player. He was very shy, and he suffered an ankle injury that left him out for the rest of the season. After he recovered, everything started to change to better. He was getting faster, stronger and more skillful. In 2004, Messi played for the first time with FC Barcelona pro team.
Soccer was recieving the best player in history that day. Leo Messi started to develope and help the team to win titles.
In 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 messi won ballon Dor for the first time, becoming the first player to win 4 ballon dors in history. Messi won 3 champions league with Barcelona, and 7 league titles. He also became the top scorer in the history of FC Barcelona, La liga and Champions league as well. Messi has been the most important player in Barcelona's history. Messi has become the FC Barcelona DNA.
Puyol "el capitan":
Puyol was the wall of barcelona. He spent his whole life fighting for FC Barcelona. His pride and bravery made him one of the best defenders in the history of the game. Puyol made his debut as a pro player in 1999. Puyol became the leader of the team at a very young age. He had to mature a lot because he was responsible for keeping the team together in and out the pitch. He was like a father to the players during his time in FC Barcelona. His love for the team characterizes him as an idol and a leyend. Puyol is the face of Barcelona. He was the type of player that was respected by every team in the world.
During his time in FC Barcelona, Puyol won the champions league 3 times, 6 league titles and the world cup with Spain in 2010. He was named the best defender in the world since 2005- 2013. Puyol retired in 2014 due to his knee injuries that he suffered throughout his career. Puyol is still missed in FC Barcelona, because noone has been able to replace his leadership, heart, and bravery. Puyol has become a leyend in the history of the football world.
Xabi and iniesta "the brains of the team":
Xabi and Iniesta are two of the most important players for the success of FC Barcelona from 2000 until now. Although this is the last season of them together because Xavi is leaving to another team. Xavi and Iniesta have left the greatest legacy of the club. Xavi "el maestro" is characterized as the best midfielder in the history of FC Barcelona because of his way of moving and passing on the field. His eagle vision, helps him analyse the field in matter of seconds. His accurate passes provides the team an advantage over the rival team. In the other hand, Iniesta "the magician" is soccer itself. What he does witht he ball is so extraordinary and beautiful. His way of moving through the field, and making the opposing team players fall. He makes soccer look so easy. His humbleness is what makes him so likeble outside the pitch as well. These two men have been the brain of barcelona. These two will never be forgotten.