Barça completed their “fantastic week”, as Jonatan Giráldez called it. After saying goodbye to the Camp Nou with qualification for their fourth Champions League final, the Barcelona team mathematically certified the League title after beating Sporting de Huelva. A trophy that toasted their captain, Alexia Putellas, who reappeared at the Johan Cruyff 299 days after his knee injury, in time to lift the most special cup. “Let’s play together. We win together”, could be read on the shirts that Barça wore to celebrate the title in a season in which they have missed their flagship a lot.
With three games to go before the end of the season, the Blaugrana set seal their eighth League title. A new trophy that also equals the record of consecutive leagues (4) held by FC Barcelona itself when it was crowned champion in the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons, just before the professionalization of the section.
To round off the Blaugrana party, the subsidiary was also proclaimed champion of the First Federation, the second women’s division. Another example of the strong commitment that the Catalan organization has been making for years in women’s football. The champions received a beautiful tribute to Johan Cruyff minutes before the first team’s game started.
Football did not shine. With an eleven filled with substitutes and the Eindhoven final on the horizon, Jonatan Giráldez put his headlines on the bench and, although they did not dazzle with their football, they fulfilled the task. After 39 minutes, Laia Codina put the Blaugrana team ahead with a volley that she celebrated with the rage of someone who knows they’ve just scored a goal worth a League title. He headed towards the stand of a Johan Cruyff full to the flag raising his arms to the sky and spurred the fans, who roared like in the old days.
But the best was yet to come. Minute 59, the stands start the count: 1, 2, 3… 11! And Alexia Putellas jumps to warm up. Total delirium for Johan, who chants the name of his longed-for captain. With all eyes on the wing, Jana Fernà ndez’s second goal arrived; who did he dedicate it to if not? In Whores
The sky was covered with black clouds, thunder rumbled in the distance, breaking through the lightning that appeared here and there. But no one was worried about ending the past day with water. They were about to experience a unique moment, the return of Alexia Putellas 299 days after her cruciate ligament rupture. The captain ran to the bench, greeted all her teammates and staff one by one and headed to the sideline. In the 74th minute, Johan stood up to see how his queen stepped onto a playing field again. She received the bracelet from the hands of Claudia Pina: “Alexia is a very important person for me, she has always helped me and I am very happy that she was able to come back today”, acknowledged the young Blaugrana.
Almost ten months later, Alexia felt like a footballer again. “That the fans remembered me in the 11th minute has helped me in the lowest moments”, he later admitted.
The rest of the game was a party. Oshoala rounded off the triumph with the third goal, with the stands making waves, and with the scream of champions, the final whistle arrived and the achievement of the eighth League title for FC Barcelona.
Putellas was in charge of going up to look for the cup in a crowded Johan Cruyff box, with president Joan Laporta at the helm and accompanied by the entire board of the Barça board. The captain received the trophy from the hands of Luis Rubiales, president of the Spanish Federation, who had to hear a loud boo from a stand that does not forget the conflict that the 15 Spanish internationals keep open, six of which of Barça, in which they demand improvements to the selection. The Blaugrana fans showed their anger, but immediately left the criticism to join the party. Alexia went down to the grass and raised her glass next to Marta Torrejón. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was the first to take the microphone and address the fans, who she thanked for accompanying them every day and dedicated the title to them before her voice broke emotion “All the energies you know where they are”, he said to the fans: “See you in Eindhoven!”. A euphoric Jonatan Giráldez took over, who also referred to the final on June 3: “We have an appointment pending. We really want to bring the Champions home.” The Blaugrana coach later acknowledged in the press room that he is living a very sweet moment: “Managing one of the best teams in the world is a matter of pride. I am privileged”. Next stop: Eindhoven.
