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Brief history of Futbol Club Barcelona

For a statistical breakdown by season, see List of FC Barcelona seasons. For the history of Barcelona's home ground, see Camp Nou.

The history of Futbol Club Barcelona begins from the football club's founding in 1899 up until the present day. FC Barcelona, also known simply as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The club was founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German, and English footballers led by Joan Gamper. The club played amateur football until 1910 in various regional competitions. In 1910, the club participated in their first of many European competitions, and has since amassed fourteen UEFA trophies and a sextuple. In 1928, Barcelona co-founded La Liga, the top-tier in Spanish football, along with a string of other clubs. As of 2024, Barcelona has never been relegated from La Liga, a record they share with Athletic Bilbao and arch-rival Real Madrid.

The history of Barcelona has often been political. Though it was a club created and run by foreigners, Barcelona gradually became a club associated with Catalan values. In Spain's transition to autocracy in 1925, Catalonia became increasingly hostile towards the central government in Madrid. The hostility enhanced Barcelona's image as a focal point for Catalonism, and when Francisco Franco banned the use of the Catalan language, the stadium of Barcelona became one of the few places the people could express their dissatisfaction. The Spanish transition to democracy in 1978 has not dampened the club's image of Catalan pride. In the 2000s and 2010s – a period of sporting success in the club and an increased focus on Catalan players – club officials have been openly faithful to historic club commitment to the defense of the country, democracy, freedom of expression and the right to decide, and have condemns any action that may impede the full exercise of these rights.

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The Catalan word ‘masia’ is usually translated as ‘farmhouse’ — and that’s not far wrong.

A better catch-all description might be a rural dwelling particular to the east of Spain, including Catalonia. When Camp Nou was being constructed in the late 1950s, architects working on Barcelona’s new ground turned a traditional old cottage close by into a convenient working space.

The house was built in 1702. Once the Camp Nou was completed, Barca decided to move their offices there. In 1979, it became the home of their youth academy, La Masia.

Youngsters who came from further afield were housed there and those who didn’t have family close by. Over the decades, dozens of Barca greats passed through, including Pep Guardiola, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes and Andres Iniesta. Barca’s academy also produced Xavi and Lionel Messi, but they did not stay at La Masia (though they went there for meals with their team-mates every day after school).

In 2011, Barca moved their academy to a new building on the outskirts of the city. It is now part of their Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper complex in Sant Joan Despi, about 8km (5m) west of Camp Nou. But everyone still calls it La Masia.

This is where first-team stars Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi live today: their beds are a 10-minute walk from where they train. The teenagers have both excelled for Barca this season.

Cubarsi made his La Liga debut in January two days before his 17th birthday and has not looked back. Yamal made his debut aged just 15 at the end of last season, before turning 16 in July. He’s since signed a major sponsorship deal with Adidas, and for many is the most exciting player to emerge at the club since Messi.

In a recent CIES F

Víctor Valdés

• Football coach and former Spanish football player
• Regarded as one of Barcelona’s greatest goalkeepers in the club’s history
• Author of “# Method V: Manage the pressure and achieve your goals (DIRECTING SKILLS)“
• Keynote speaker on all things football-related, handling pressure and achieving success

Conference speaker and former Spanish goalkeeper Victor Valdés spent most of his professional career playing for Barcelona. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history. His appearance in 535 games saw the former football pro help his club win 21 major titles, the most of which are six La Liga titles, and three UEFA Champions League championships.

On a more personal note, Victor Valdés has won the Zamora Trophy which is given to the goalkeeper who has the lowest “goals-to-games” five times and holds the club record as the goalkeeper with the most appearances in both league and official competitions.

The end of his Barcelona contract saw Victor Valdés joining Manchester United from 2014 to 2015 before moving on to Middlesbrough. He retired from professional football in 2017.

Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers ever, Victor Valdés is known in football circles as an authoritative presence with great reflexes, handling, positioning, and goal-stopping abilities. He is also known for his vision, great footwork, and skill.

In 2018, Victor Valdés returned to the game. He took on the role of manager and coach. After achieving two regional titles with the amateur side ED Moratalaz’s youth rank, he returned to Barcelona in 2019 where he coaches the club’s Juvenil A side.

Keynote speaker Victor Valdés is the author of “Method V: Manage the pressure and achieve your goals (DIRECTING SKILLS)”. The book describes his life in professional football and how to manage the pressure while achieving your goals.