“This team is worth traveling 21 hours in a coach. Even puncture a wheel”, says Mariona. Next to him, Marta and Ester say yes. They are part of the famous coach number 14 that left Barcelona on Thursday to see the women’s Barça win the second Champions League in their history. They then returned by road with the aim of reaching Plaça Sant Jaume which, as in the great celebrations of the last century, was colored Blaugrana with more than 2,000 fans. They all arrived on time to see how the team raised the cup on the balcony of the Generalitat next to the president Pere Aragonès and then at the Barcelona City Council in the presence of acting mayor Ada Colau.
Bus 14 arrived by the hair. He punctured a wheel at La Jonquera. Alexia Putellas herself told the anecdote. The captain was particularly worried because her uncle, Ricard Segura, was traveling on the bus. “This morning I received a message from my uncle, that he didn’t know if he could get to Sant Jaume. And it is here. Thank you all,” said the captain from the balcony of the Palace of the Generalitat.
This newspaper located Alexia’s uncle. It was explained. “I decided to go there by bus because I didn’t want to miss the experience. We named him after Johan Cruyff because he was the 14th. Obviously I already have a WhatsApp group with all those who were there”, explains Ricard Segura. Proudly, he shows off the three tattoos on his leg and left arm. “The first is the Barça shield. The second is the Champions League that we won in Gothenburg. The third is Alexia’s first Ballon d’Or. I put them on the left side because Alexia is left-handed. Now I need two more for the second Ballon d’Or and for this Champions League”, explains Segura, who was also wearing his niece’s Barcelona shirt. I wasn’t alone. Alexia’s name is one of the most repeated along with her number 11. Aitana, Mapi León and Claudia Pina shirts were also seen. And whoever didn’t wear a shirt, waved a scarf or a Barcelona flag.
The European champions were accompanied by president Joan Laporta and manager Xavi Puig. Also the vice-presidents Eduard Romeu and Elena Fort. They all wore sunglasses. Just like them. “The night has been long. I gave everything”, acknowledged Aitana, who was practically speechless. They still had enough energy to sign autographs and take photos with the fans while manager Xavi Puig carried the Champions League with president Joan Laporta. They were helped by the president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Pere Aragonès, who received the team at the gates of the Palau and accompanied them inside the building.
As they arrived, the players took the opportunity to sign banners, flags and take photos with the fans. The vast majority were families with children. But there were also grandparents with their grandchildren and lots and lots of teenage girls. From the Gothic courtyard of the Generalitat, Aragonès spoke of the beautiful connection that the women’s team has achieved with the fans. “You are the point of reference for many girls and boys who see a sport that includes all of society”, he declared. Laporta took over with a short but intense speech: “Citizens and citizens of Catalonia, the women’s Champions League, we have it here again,” he exclaimed. “I want to say it too”, said Alexia repeating the famous phrase while the fans chanted her name, sang happy birthday to congratulate Bruna Vilamala, who turned 21 yesterday, and scored the goal scorer of the final , Patri Guijarro, to the cry of “Patri, MVP”.
The most emotional parliament was that of Jonatan Giráldez, who became a father last week: “I’m Galician, I’ve been here since 2012. I’m proud that my son is Catalan. You are the best fans in the world”, he said. Sant Jaume applauded him and claimed Mapi León. “¿Cómo están los máquinas?”, asked the Aragonese also almost without a voice. Next door, Claudia Pina celebrated the Champions League to the cry of “Madridista qui no boti”. She was seconded. There was no shortage of the classic Un dia de partite or the Barça Song in a celebration they will always remember. Even Oshoala, Engën or Rolfö dared to speak in Catalan with a funny “good afternoon, we are the guiris”.
And next year? “It won’t be necessary to go by bus. We will go by car to flood Bilbao”, warned Alexia’s uncle, who hugged his niece when she crossed the square again with the Champions. They left as they came: signing autographs.
