While we all know FC Barcelona is one of the biggest Football clubs in the world many don’t know its exclusive history. Live Sports Reviews brings to you few interesting facts about the Spanish-La Liga club that we believe every Barca fan should know and believe many would also find it really interesting and funny. These Facts about FC Barcelona includes their history, team, and stadium facts as well.
- FC Barcelona was found after an advertisement in the newspaper
On October 22nd, 1899 a football enthusiast Hans Kamper placed an advertisement in the local newspaper that he wished to form a football club and interested people should contact him, on seeing this ad Joan Gamper along with Gimnasio Solé and eleven other players met Kamper for a meeting on November 29th, 1899 which in turn led to the formation FC Barcelona.
- FC Barcelona fans are also known as the ‘Ass’.
Fans of Barca in Catalan are known as ‘culés’ the word which in English translates into ‘ass’. While many will think that the name implies for Ass as in the donkey, the nickname intern means Ass as in Butt, the nickname originated back in the nineteen twenties when few Barca fans used to sit in the highest row of the stadium during Barca match with their culés very much visible to passer-bys. Thus the name ‘Cules’ originated.
- Fierce rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid expands to more than just football
Spain’s most successful football clubs FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid are also fierce competitors, but the rivalry is stemmed from more than just football while Real Madrid is known to be a symbol of nationalism which favoured Franco’s dictatorship; FC Barcelona was Franco’s biggest opposition and was always against their regime.
- Maracanã of Spain, Camp Nou?
Many fans don’t know that FC Barcelona´s home ground Camp Nou was once the same size as that of Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro and could hold a fan capacity of 120, 000 spectators at one go, that is the highest number at full capacity, in the world. But the Camp Nou stadium over the years has been reduced in size considerably so as not to compromise the stadium’s security.
FC Barcelona at Camp Nou
- FC Barcelona is required to learn the Catalan Language
All FC Barca players are required to learn and speak Catalan as FC Barcelona’s President is Joan Laporta, a self-proclaimed nationalist and Barca has always been a huge Catalan supporter. This rule applies to all foreign players as well, but an exception has been made for few famous players such as Lionel “Leo” Messi for whom it is not mandatory, Messi has never spoken publicly in Catalan except once, when he was drunk after an Barca win and ended up talking in Catalan through a megaphone.
- FC Barcelona- A prized club
The FIFA Ballon d’Or (Golden ball) trophy
Barca has got maximum number Ballon d’Or winners under its name. Ballon d’Or is a prestigious prize that FIFA grants to the best football player of the year annually, the award is not restricted to just European clubs has players selected for all across the world. There have been at least 10 Ballon d’Or cups won by a Barca player.
