Although the Federation did not want to say it out loud, Rafael Louzán had planned to travel to Barcelona to watch the clásico. The goal was to deliver the 29th League title to the blaugrana entity, the first they celebrate against Real Madrid. “I will never forget this moment. My team is fantastic and I am delighted. I am very proud of my players. It is special to live this with the fans, in a clásico and beating Madrid,” celebrated Hansi Flick. It was a special night for the coach. After the death of his father, the German chose to be with his players at Camp Nou. And his boys recognized it: first on the field; and then, already with the title in the pocket, they lifted him on their shoulders in the center circle.
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“This morning when my mother called me and told me that my father had passed away, I wondered if it was better to explain it and not tell the team. But in the end, it is like a family and I wanted to tell them and I will never forget how they reacted. I am very happy to work for this magnificent team,” Flick revealed in the press room. Earlier, during the speeches on the field, he started with his first words in Catalan: “Bona nit, culés.” But immediately after he added: “I have to continue in English, sorry. It was a tough match and I will never forget this day. I want to thank the squad, the president (Laporta), Yuste (interim president) and all the people who have supported us. The most important thing is that I am very proud to have such a good team. Thank you for everything. Thank you for that will to fight in every match.”
Earlier he had already hugged all his players. The hug with Joan Laporta, who will take office at the club next July 1, was not missing. Laporta is the great architect of Flick’s arrival at Barcelona. Without the friendship between the new-old blaugrana president and Pini Zahavi, the coach’s agent, the construction of this Barcelona would not be understood. Since Flick took over the blaugrana bench, the club has won five titles, all in Spain: two Leagues, two Supercups, and one Cup.
“Flick is very important. He has very clear ideas, but within that there is a lot of freedom for the players. That way we can show the quality we have,” praised De Jong the German coach. And Raphinha, one of the players closest to Flick, added: “We have the habit of saying that football gives you a big family. For me, Flick is like a father. He has made me believe in myself again.”
Barça reigns in Spain, but does not forget Europe. “Every title must be celebrated, especially a League, which is a year-long competition. We have clearly been the best in Spain. Of course we want to win the Champions, that is the goal. Next year we will have another chance,” emphasized De Jong.
The blaugrana locker room has its eyes on the World Cup and also on the next Champions, but does not forget what was conquered this season. A special title, celebrated against Madrid. “This title is more special because we won it at home against Madrid,” said De Jong. “We won the League and we have to celebrate it a lot. We have done very well this season,” added Raphinha. And Cubarsí added: “Spectacular things will come. With this stadium and these people, we will give it our all.”
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Araujo, the first captain, was the first to speak in front of the blaugrana fans. “Thank you all for the support when we play at Camp Nou and also when we play away. This League is for all of you,” highlighted the central defender. Very loved by his teammates and by the fans, Camp Nou responded: “Uruguay, Uruguay!”
“This team has shown that it knows how to do it. We went through tough moments at the beginning of the League, but then we have been spectacular,” insisted Raphinha. Since Barcelona fell in the first round at the Bernabéu, it has only lost two matches (against Real Sociedad and Girona). Now it has 91 points and, if it wins the three remaining matches (Alavés, Betis, and Valencia), it will reach the record of 100 points. A mark shared by Tito Vilanova’s Barcelona (2012-2013) and Mourinho’s Madrid (2011-2012).
“It has been a year of a lot of work and effort. With character and courage, we have pulled it off,” insisted the Uruguayan defender. And he concluded: “Thanks to everyone who works in this club day by day. We have a very young team, with a lot of talent. We are sure that great moments will come and we will give you great joys.”
Barcelona celebrates the present, but also clings to the future. A future with Hansi Flick — he will sign a new contract until 2028, with an option to extend until 2029 — and with an 18-year-old kid named Lamine Yamal.
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