FC Barcelona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Barcelona

Full name	Futbol Club Barcelona
Nickname(s)	Barça or the Blaugrana (team) Culers or Barcelonistes (supporters) Blaugranes or Azulgranas (supporters)
Founded	29 November 1899; 126 years ago (1899-11-29) (as Foot-Ball Club Barcelona)
Stadium	Camp Nou
Stadium capacity	105,000 (expected)
Stadium coordinates	41°22′51.2″N 2°07′22.2″E / 41.380889°N 2.122833°E / 41.380889; 2.122833
President	Joan Laporta
Head coach	Hansi Flick
League	La Liga
2022–23	La Liga, 1st of 20 (champions)
Home colours

Futbol Club Barcelona, often called FC Barcelona or just Barça, is a famous professional football team. It is based in Barcelona, Spain, and plays in La Liga, the top football league in the country.

The club started in 1899 with a group of players from different countries, led by Joan Gamper. Barça quickly became a symbol of Catalan culture, using the motto Més que un club, which means "More than a club." What makes Barcelona special is that its fans actually own and run the club!

Barcelona is one of the most successful football clubs in the world. They have won many titles, including 29 La Liga championships and 32 Copa del Rey cups in Spain. On the international stage, they have lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy five times and many other European and worldwide cups.

The team is known for its blue and red (garnet) striped jerseys, which is why their fans often call them Blaugrana. Barcelona has a big rivalry with Real Madrid, and their matches are called El Clásico. Many legendary players have played for Barça, like Johan Cruyff, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi, who have won prestigious awards like the Ballon d'Or.

Barcelona is one of only three teams that have never left the top Spanish league since it began in 1929. They made history in 2009 by winning three major trophies in one season (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League), a feat called the "continental treble." They even did it again in 2015, becoming the first European club to win two trebles!

The Exciting History of FC Barcelona

How FC Barcelona Began: 1899–1922

Walter Wild, the club's first president (1899–1901). He helped Barça get its first home ground.

Gamper's advertisement in Los Deportes asking people to join his new football club.

On 22 October 1899, a Swiss man named Joan Gamper put an advertisement in a newspaper. He wanted to start a football club. Many people responded, and on 29 November, eleven players met and formed Foot-Ball Club Barcelona. Walter Wild became the first president.

Barcelona quickly found success in local and national competitions. In 1902, they won their first trophy, the Copa Macaya. Later, in 1908, Joan Gamper became club president. He worked hard to save the club from financial trouble. One of his biggest achievements was making sure Barça had its own stadium.

On 14 March 1909, the team moved to the Camp de la Indústria, which could hold 8,000 fans. To celebrate, they held a contest for a new club crest. Carles Comamala won, and his design is still used today, with a few small changes. This new stadium helped the club grow a lot. They won many titles, including the Pyrenees Cup, an early international club competition. Famous early players included Carles Comamala and Paulino Alcántara. In 1917, Jack Greenwell became the club's first full-time coach.

During this time, the club also started using the Catalan language more. It became an important symbol of Catalan identity for many fans. By 1922, the club had over 20,000 members. This helped them build an even bigger stadium, Camp de Les Corts, which opened that same year.

Challenges and Triumphs: 1923–1939

During a time of political change in Spain, Barcelona faced some challenges. In 1925, the stadium was temporarily closed. The club also officially became a professional football club in 1926.

In 1929, Barcelona made history by winning the very first Spanish League title! Sadly, Joan Gamper, the club's founder, passed away in 1930.

The 1930s were a difficult period in Spain, with political conflicts affecting everyone. In 1936, during a challenging political time, club president Josep Sunyol was killed. He became a symbol of the club's spirit. The team even went on a tour to Mexico and the United States, representing their country during this challenging time. Some players stayed abroad after the tour.

The club faced tough times and changes, including having to change its name to Club de Fútbol Barcelona and remove the Catalan flag from its crest. Despite these difficulties, the team continued to win regional titles.

Post-War Success and New Stars: 1940–1957

Even with the tough political situation, CF Barcelona had great success in the 1940s and 1950s. In 1945, they won La Liga for the first time since 1929. They won two more titles in 1948 and 1949. In 1949, they also won the first Latin Cup.

In 1943, in a Copa del Generalísimo match against Real Madrid, Barcelona lost 11–1 in the second leg after winning the first 3–0. This game was very controversial, with claims of unfair pressure on the Barcelona players.

In 1950, Barcelona signed László Kubala, who became a very important player. He helped the team win many trophies. In 1951, fans showed their unity and support for the city during a tram strike, making the club a symbol of community spirit. With Kubala, the team won five different trophies in 1952, including La Liga and the Copa del Generalísimo.

Building the Camp Nou and European Dreams: 1957–1978

The Camp Nou stadium was completed in 1957. This huge new stadium meant the club had less money to spend on new players for a while. However, with coach Helenio Herrera and stars like Luis Suárez (who won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1960) and Hungarian players Sándor Kocsis and Zoltán Czibor, the team won more titles. In 1961, they were the first club to beat Real Madrid in a European Cup match, but they lost in the final.

Luis Suárez, the first Barcelona player to win the Ballon d'Or.

The 1960s were a bit tougher, with Real Madrid winning many league titles. Still, Barcelona won the Copa del Generalísimo in 1963 and the Fairs Cup in 1966. They also famously beat Real Madrid 1–0 in the 1968 Copa del Generalísimo final. In 1974, the club changed its official name back to Futbol Club Barcelona and restored its original crest.

Johan Cruyff joined in 1973 for a world record fee. He quickly became a fan favorite, helping the club win La Liga for the first time since 1960, including a memorable 5–0 win against Real Madrid. Cruyff won the European Footballer of the Year award three times, twice while playing for Barcelona.

A New Era of Leadership and Youth Talent: 1978–2000

In 1979, Barcelona turned La Masia, an old farmhouse, into a home for young academy players.

In 1978, Josep Lluís Núñez became the first elected president of Barcelona, chosen by the club's members. His goal was to make Barcelona a top club by bringing stability. His presidency lasted 22 years.

The club won its first UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1979. That same year, Núñez started investing in the club's youth program. He turned an old farmhouse called La Masia into a dormitory for young players. This place became famous for developing future football stars.

Diego Maradona's blaugrana shirt on display in the Barcelona Museum

In 1982, Diego Maradona, a global superstar, joined Barcelona. The team won the Copa del Rey with him, but he later left the club. Under manager Terry Venables, Barcelona won La Liga in 1985 and reached the European Cup final the next season.

In 1988, Johan Cruyff returned to the club, this time as manager. He built a legendary team known as the "Dream Team." This team included talented Spanish players like Pep Guardiola and international stars like Ronald Koeman and Hristo Stoichkov. Many players from La Masia, like Pep Guardiola, started playing for the first team during this period.

Under Cruyff, Barcelona won four La Liga titles in a row from 1991 to 1994. They also won the European Cup in 1992 at Wembley Stadium. Cruyff became the club's most successful manager at that time, winning 11 trophies. After Cruyff left, Bobby Robson managed the team for one season, winning three cups with star player Ronaldo. Later, under Louis van Gaal, the team won a Copa del Rey and La Liga double in 1998. In 1999, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary by winning another La Liga title.

A New Century of Success: 2000–2008

Ronaldinho's arrival in 2003 helped the club become successful again.

The early 2000s saw some changes in leadership and players. Fans were very upset when star player Luís Figo left to join rivals Real Madrid. After a few challenging seasons, a new president, Joan Laporta, and a new manager, Frank Rijkaard, brought fresh energy to the club.

New international players like Ronaldinho, Deco, and Samuel Eto'o joined. They combined with talented homegrown players like Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, and Víctor Valdés. This mix of talent led to Barcelona's return to success.

Barcelona won La Liga and the Supercopa de España in 2005. Ronaldinho and Eto'o were recognized as top players in the world. In the 2005–06 season, they won the league and Supercopa again. A highlight was a 3–0 win against Real Madrid at their stadium, where Ronaldinho's amazing performance earned him a standing ovation from some Real Madrid fans. They also won the UEFA Champions League in 2006, coming from behind to beat Arsenal 2–1 in the final.

The 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons were challenging, with the team not winning any major trophies. However, young star Lionel Messi began to show his incredible talent, scoring a goal compared to Diego Maradona's famous "goal of the century." At the end of the 2007–08 season, Pep Guardiola, who had been coaching the Barcelona B team, was appointed as the new head coach.

The Legendary Guardiola Era: 2008–2012

Barcelona's midfield stars Andrés Iniesta (left) and Xavi (right) were key to Guardiola's passing style.

Pep Guardiola brought a new, exciting style of play called "tiki-taka." He built the team around amazing players like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi in action during the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final victory against Manchester United.

In 2009, Barça had an incredible year. They won the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and their third Champions League title, completing the first "treble" ever won by a Spanish team! They didn't stop there, winning the Spanish Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup in the same year. This meant they won all six possible trophies in one calendar year, a truly amazing achievement!

In 2010, Barcelona players from the La Masia youth system played a huge role in Spain winning the World Cup. Seven academy graduates were in the final, with Iniesta scoring the winning goal. Later that year, Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi were named the three best players in the world for the Ballon d'Or, all coming from Barcelona's youth academy.

The team continued its success, winning La Liga again in 2011 and their fourth Champions League title, beating Manchester United once more. They also won the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup, bringing Guardiola's trophy count to 14 in just four years. Many people consider this Barcelona team to be one of the greatest of all time.

Guardiola stepped down in 2012, and his assistant, Tito Vilanova, took over. Under Vilanova, Barcelona won La Liga in 2013 with an impressive 100 points. Sadly, Vilanova had to resign due to health reasons.

New Leaders and Continued Dominance: 2014–Present

Luis Suárez joined the club in 2014. Messi, Suárez, and Neymar, known as "MSN," formed a record-breaking attacking trio.

In 2013, Gerardo Martino became manager, and the club won the Spanish Supercopa. In 2014, Josep Maria Bartomeu became president.

The 2014–15 season was another historic one for Barcelona. They won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League, achieving their second "treble"! This made them the first European team to win two trebles. The attacking trio of Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar, nicknamed "MSN," scored a record 122 goals that season.

Barcelona continued to win, securing the European Super Cup and their third Club World Cup in 2015. They also set a record for most goals scored in a calendar year. In 2016, they won their sixth La Liga title in eight seasons.

In 2017, Barcelona made an incredible comeback in the Champions League, winning 6–1 against Paris Saint-Germain after losing the first game 4–0. Ernesto Valverde became manager and led the team to another La Liga title in 2018 and 2019. However, they faced disappointment in the Champions League.

In 2020, Quique Setién and then Ronald Koeman took over as coaches. Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned as president. In March 2021, Joan Laporta was re-elected president. Barcelona won the Copa del Rey in 2021 under Koeman.

In August 2021, due to league rules, Barcelona was unable to re-sign Lionel Messi, who had been with the club for 21 years and was their all-time leading goalscorer. Messi left the club, marking the end of an era.

Robert Lewandowski joined the club in 2022, bringing strong goal-scoring to the team.

Later in 2021, club legend Xavi became manager. He guided Barcelona to win the Spanish Supercopa in 2023 and their 27th league title in 2023, the first in the post-Messi era. In 2024, Hansi Flick was appointed as the new head coach.

Under Flick's leadership, Barcelona had a very successful 2024–25 season. They won their 28th La Liga title, the Supercopa, and the Copa del Rey. They also reached the Champions League semi-finals. The 2025–26 season saw Barcelona return to the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou. They won their 29th La Liga title and the Supercopa de España, showing continued strength and relying on their youth academy, La Masia.

Barcelona Fan Culture

The Passionate Supporters of Barça

Tifo at Camp Nou in a 2013 comeback against AC Milan

Barcelona supporters are known as culers, a nickname that comes from the early days when fans sat with their backsides (culs in Catalan) hanging over the stands at the first stadium.

Barcelona is one of the most popular teams in the world. About 25% of people in Spain support Barça. The club has seen a big increase in members, called socis, growing from 100,000 in 2003 to over 150,000 today.

There are also many official fan clubs, called penyes, all around the world. These fan clubs help promote Barcelona in their local areas. Barcelona also has one of the largest social media followings among sports teams globally. Many famous people have supported the club, including Pope John Paul II.

Exciting Club Rivalries

El Clásico: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Players jostle in Barcelona's 2–6 win against Real Madrid in a 2009 El Clásico.

The match between Barcelona and Real Madrid is called "The Classic" (El Clásico). It's one of the most intense rivalries in football! These two clubs represent different regions and cities in Spain: Catalonia (Barcelona) and Castile (Madrid).

Barcelona has long been seen as a symbol of Catalan identity. During difficult political times in Spain, the club's motto, Més que un club ("More than a club"), became even more meaningful. It showed that the club stood for more than just football.

There has been a lot of discussion about how political leaders in the past might have influenced the two clubs. While some believed certain teams were favored, historians generally agree that leaders did not have a single favorite team. However, Real Madrid's success in Europe in the 1950s did make them a very important team for Spain's image.

Barcelona fans creating a mosaic of the Catalan flag before a 2012 El Clasico at Camp Nou

The rivalry became even more intense in the 1950s because of a big disagreement over signing a player named Alfredo Di Stéfano. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid wanted him. After much debate, Di Stéfano ended up playing for Real Madrid, and he helped them achieve great success, including winning the first five European Cups.

El Clásico matches are always full of excitement and memorable moments, with players often celebrating goals in front of the opposing fans.

El derbi Barceloní: Local Rivalry with Espanyol

Barcelona players parade the La Liga trophy around Camp Nou in May 2006 after defeating Espanyol.

Barça's local rival in Barcelona is Espanyol. Espanyol was founded by Spanish football fans, and they saw FC Barcelona as a team with many foreign players. Historically, Espanyol was seen as a club that was more aligned with the central government, while Barça represented a more independent spirit.

Over the years, this rivalry has become less about politics and more about the game itself. While it's the most played local derby in La Liga history, Barcelona has usually been the stronger team. Barcelona has won most of their matches against Espanyol, and the only all-Catalan Copa del Rey final was won by Barça in 1957.

European Rivalry with AC Milan

Barcelona's ultras Boixos Nois in the 2005–06 UEFA Champions League semi-final against AC Milan at San Siro

Barcelona also has a strong rivalry with Italian club AC Milan in European football. They have played each other many times, making it one of the most frequent matchups in European club competitions. Both clubs are very successful in Europe, having won many titles.

Barcelona has won more matches in their head-to-head record. While Milan famously beat Cruyff's "Dream Team" 4–0 in the 1994 Champions League final, Barcelona made a historic comeback in 2013, winning 4–0 at Camp Nou after losing the first game 0–2.

How FC Barcelona is Owned and Managed

Club Ownership and Financial Details

Civil Guards at the socis entrance of the Camp de la Indústria (early 20th century)

FC Barcelona is a unique club because it is owned by its members, called socis. This means you can't buy shares in the club like a regular company. Instead, the members elect the club president and make important decisions. As of May 2023, the club has over 150,000 members.

Barcelona is one of the most valuable sports teams in the world. The club announced a new sponsorship deal with Nike on November 9, 2024, which is considered the highest deal in football history.

Amazing Club Records

Xavi made 767 total appearances for Barcelona, a former club record.

Lionel Messi holds many incredible records for Barcelona. He has played the most official games for the club, with 778 appearances. He is also Barcelona's all-time top goalscorer with 672 goals, a record he broke in 2012. In 2020, Messi also became the highest official scorer for a single club, surpassing Pelé's record.

Lionel Messi is Barcelona's all-time top appearance maker, top scorer, and the highest scoring player for a single club.

Other players have also scored many goals for Barcelona, including César Rodríguez, Luis Suárez, László Kubala, and Samuel Eto'o. Kubala and Messi share the record for most goals in a single match in La Liga and the Champions League, respectively.

Barcelona goalkeepers have won a record 20 Zamora trophies, with Antoni Ramallets and Víctor Valdés each winning five. Valdés also holds the record for the longest time without conceding a goal for Barcelona.

Pep Guardiola is Barcelona's most successful coach, with 14 trophies.

Jack Greenwell was Barcelona's longest-serving manager, and Pep Guardiola is the club's most successful manager, winning 14 trophies. Lionel Messi is the most successful Barcelona player, with 35 trophies.

The Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe. The club's highest attendance was 120,000 fans in 1986. Barcelona is the only club to have played in every season of European competitions since they began in 1955. In 2009, Barcelona became the first European team to win six trophies in a calendar year.

Team Kits and Club Crest

The first crest (left) used by Barça from 1899 to 1910, and the second crest (right), designed in 1910.

The club's first crest looked like a diamond and included symbols of Barcelona city. In 1910, a competition was held to design a new crest. Carles Comamala won, and his design is still used today with minor changes. The crest features the St George's Cross, the Catalan flag, and the team's blue and garnet colors.

The famous blue and garnet colors of the shirt were first worn in 1900. There are different ideas about where these colors came from. Some say they were inspired by the colors of Joan Gamper's home team, Basel.

1899–1910

1910–present

2015–16

2019–20

2021–22

Notes

Team Kit Suppliers and Sponsors

Nike has been Barcelona's official kit supplier since 1998.

Since 1998, Nike has been Barcelona's kit supplier. In 2016, they renewed their deal until 2028. Barcelona is a leader in selling kits and merchandise in Europe.

For many years, Barcelona did not have a sponsor name on the front of their shirts. In 2006, they made a special agreement to feature UNICEF's name, not for money, but to raise awareness and funds for the charity. In 2011, the club signed its first commercial shirt sponsorship deal with Qatar Foundation.

Club Anthems

Barcelona has had several official songs throughout its history. The current anthem is "Cant del Barça" (The Song of Barça), created in 1974 for the club's 75th anniversary. The lyrics were written by Josep Maria Espinàs and Jaume Picas i Guiu [ca], and the music by Manuel Valls.

The song was first performed in 1974 at the Camp Nou by a large choir. It is played before Barcelona games at the Camp Nou, especially during big matches, and is a way for fans to cheer and celebrate victories. In 2024, for the club's 125th anniversary, a new, improved version of the anthem was recorded with a symphony orchestra and choirs.

Barcelona's Home Stadium

Camp de Les Corts in 1939, Barcelona's home stadium before the Camp Nou.

Barcelona first played on different fields. One of the first fixed venues was the Camp de la Indústria, but it soon became too small for the growing number of fans.

In 1922, with over 20,000 supporters, Barça built the larger Camp de Les Corts stadium. It started with a capacity of 20,000 and was later expanded to 60,000. However, there was no more room to expand Les Corts. With the team's success and the arrival of star player László Kubala, even more fans wanted to watch games.

So, the club started planning a new stadium. Construction of the Camp Nou began in 1954 and finished in 1957. It cost more than expected but became a magnificent home for the club.

One of the Camp Nou stands displays Barcelona's motto, "Més que un club", meaning 'More than a club'.

In 1980, to help fund renovations, the club offered fans the chance to have their names inscribed on bricks at the stadium. This was very popular. The Camp Nou was also updated for the 1992 Summer Olympics. It currently has a capacity of 99,354, making it the largest stadium in Europe.

In 2021, club members voted to approve the Espai Barça project, a plan to renovate the club's facilities. Renovation work on the Camp Nou began in June 2023 and is expected to finish by 2027. During this time, Barcelona played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Since November 2025, the first team has been playing at the Camp Nou again, even though construction is still ongoing.

Other important club facilities include:

• Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper (Barcelona's training ground)
• Masia-Centre de Formació Oriol Tort (Home for young players)
• Estadi Johan Cruyff (Home for the reserve team, women's team, and youth team)
• Palau Blaugrana (Barcelona's indoor sports arena)

Club Honours

•      Record
• ^S Shared record

Meet the Players

Spanish teams can have a limited number of players who are not citizens of the European Union. However, some non-European players might have dual citizenship with an EU country.

Current Squad

No. Position Player 1 GK Marc-André ter Stegen 3 DF Alejandro Balde 4 DF Ronald Araújo (captain) 5 DF Pau Cubarsí 6 MF Gavi 7 FW Ferran Torres 8 MF Pedri (4th captain) 10 FW Lamine Yamal 11 FW Raphinha (3rd captain) 13 GK Joan Garcia 15 DF Andreas Christensen 16 MF Fermín López

No. Position Player 17 MF Marc Casadó 18 DF Gerard Martín 19 FW Roony Bardghji 20 MF Dani Olmo 21 MF Frenkie de Jong (vice-captain) 22 MF Marc Bernal 23 DF Jules Koundé 24 DF Eric García 25 GK Wojciech Szczęsny DF Héctor Fort FW Anthony Gordon

Club Management

Technical Staff

Position	Staff
Head coach	Hansi Flick
Assistant coaches	Marcus Sorg Toni Tapalović Heiko Westermann Arnau Blanco Thiago Alcântara
Goalkeeping coach	José Ramón de la Fuente
Head of fitness training	Julio Tous
Field fitness coach	Pepe Conde Rafa Maldonado
Gym and strength fitness coach	Germán Fernández
Rehab coach	Jon Álvarez Chechu Pérez
Analysts	Sergio García Toni Lobo David Prats
Video analyst	Francesc Martí
Match analyst	Guillem Escriu
Physiotherapists	Daniel Benito Juanjo Brau Xavier Elain Xavi Linde Xavi López Jordi Mesalles Sebas Salas
Club doctors	Toni Tramullas Daniel Florit Ricard Pruna Xavier Yanguas
Dietitians	Silvia Tremoleda
Delegate	Carles Naval

Football Sport Management

Position	Staff
Director of football	Deco
Football coordinator	Bojan Krkić
Director of scouting	Paulo Araújo
Managerial director	Franc Carbó
Barça Atlètic Head coach	Juliano Belletti
Youth football general manager	José Ramón Alexanko
Youth football coordinators	Zigor Alesanco Sergi Milà
Juvenil A (U19 A) Head coach	Pol Planas
Juvenil B (U19 B) Head coach	Cesc Bosch
Head of FUTBOL 11	Sergi Milà
Head of FUTBOL 7	Marc Serra
Goalkeeping coordinator from Cadet A (U16A) to Prebenjamí (U8B)	Jesús Unzué

Board of Directors

Joan Laporta is the current club president.

See also

In Spanish: Fútbol Club Barcelona para niños

• List of fan-owned sports teams
• Barcelona Femení
• Barcelona Atlètic
• Barcelona Futsal
• Barcelona Bàsquet
• Barcelona Handbol
• List of world champion football clubs