Farewell, Estadi Olímpic
After two seasons, F.C. Barcelona say goodbye to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, expecting to return to a still-unfinished Camp Nou in August when the league returns.
Despite initial hesitation from much of the fanbase to “climb” the “magic mountain” every weekend, this iconic stadium, overlooking Barcelona’s urban tapestry, has done a wonderful job hosting the team and has definitely surpassed expectations.
The first year there under Xavi Hernández wasn’t easy, but those who committed to a second campaign were rewarded with a phenomenal season captained by Hansi Flick, winning the domestic treble and forging plenty of unforgettable moments, including goal fests and dramatic comebacks.
During this tenure at the Estadi Olímpic, Barça played a total of 52 games, achieving 29 wins, 5 draws and 8 defeats, while scoring 141 goals and conceding 58.
In terms of attendance, in the 2023/24 season the stadium averaged 40,981 spectators per game, increasing to 44,526 the following campaign, driven initially by the anticipation surrounding Flick’s arrival, and later by the team’s impressive performances on the pitch.
Unfortunately, we can’t say the atmosphere was brilliant, clearly influenced by the controversial decision to shut down the grada d’animació in November, halfway into the season. While fans rose to the occasion in most of the big games, many of the less high-profile fixtures were marked by long spells of silence. Knowing that culers aren’t the loudest crowd, if you combine this with large numbers of tourists and take away the supporters’ stand, it’s no wonder this happened.
But from now on, silence will truly take over the stadium. The hustle and bustle before and during every match will vanish from Montjuïc, leaving the Estadi Olímpic empty and still, save for the occasional tourist and for specific concerts and events.
A stadium that means more to Barça than most people think, and not only because of this memorable season. It was also the stadium where Leo Messi made his official debut as a F.C. Barcelona first-team player in 2004, and eight years earlier it saw Ronaldo Nazário, aka O fenômeno, score his first goal for els Blaugrana, on the same day Sir Bobby Robson made his managerial debut for the club.
Who knows if or when Barça will return. But one thing is certain: it will always be a special place to play.