Jürgen Klopp, the German who coaches Liverpool, assures that football is a matter of faith and that if a fan wants to help his team, he has to go from skeptic to believer. Soccer has something of a religion: to be a fan you have to build a story, tell it, share it with others and pass it on. Sartre would define it as a series of individuals gathered at random who end up creating a fused group, a compact force unified by an oath of fidelity.
I say all this because today, in addition to being an electoral day in which a good part of the future is decided not only of our cities, but also of the country, for those of us who are fans of football and of the secular Barça religion, it is also the last match in a field that was known as new (Camp Nou), but which had become old for us. Manchester United describes Old Trafford as a theater of dreams, because unexpected events happened there. Miracles some call them, again to reinforce the concept of religion. Psychologists highlight that moving home is one of the three most stressful events in the life of a human being (the other two are the death of a family member and changing jobs). And it will be for Barcelona fans, accustomed to their location, their vision of the field and the members of the nearby seats with whom they can discuss the plays.
I was lucky enough to attend the first official match at the Camp Nou 65 years ago. I had not yet turned four and an uncle of mine, who was a set designer for the Liceu and a member of the Peña Solera, took me to the stadium. Barça beat Jaén 6-1 and the first goal was scored by the Uruguayan Villaverde, shortly after starting. I have images recorded on the hard drive of my mind, convinced that I was witnessing something unique. It is possible that, like those who say they were in Paris in May 1968, today everyone says they were there, even those who are too old.
Today I will go to say goodbye to the old and beautiful stadium designed by Francesc Mitjans, where so many emotions have overflowed me, where I have seen my children grow up and where I have shared moments of great luck. And where I have not lost faith, although the devil sometimes tempts me.
