Gabriel was 15 years old but he has very clear memories of that September 1957. He remembers, as if it were a picture, how Barcelona woke up on that Mercè day, decked out in Barça's colors on the occasion of the inauguration of the Camp Nou The father often said that the Corts field was too small for Kubala and, like Gabriel, he was dying to see Barça play in the new stadium. For this reason, he did not understand how that September 24, being a holiday as it was, forced him to work in the carpentry to complete an urgent order. Gabriel then promised himself that he would never miss a big date at Camp Nou. And, 65 years later, he can be satisfied that he has fulfilled the promise.
In the autumn of 1960, Conxita was already celebrating, and she was upset when she learned that on her birthday, November 23, she would go with Sidro and Vilaseca to see Barça-Madrid in the round of 16 of the Copa d 'Europe. What a feeling, to see his Barça eliminate Madrid from that prestigious competition! For the first time he saw the power of the new full stadium over the rival team. It was one of the things he told his daughter and son the most every time he went to watch a game. They often begged to accompany him. Also on All Saints' Day in 1978, when he was getting warm to go watch the second leg of the Recopa against Anderlecht. Gabriel admitted the next day that he was sorry to have gone there without his family because the game was one to remember for a lifetime. What a comeback at Camp Nou! Luckily, over the years, the spine was removed. Despite the fact that they were taking exams at the high school, the scoundrel took the final against Standard de Liège and they wept with joy at that Recopa in 1982. And boasting of being university children, they vibrated with the whole Camp Nou the night of Pichi Alonso's hat-trick against Gothenburg. Reis' best gift of 1994 arrived a couple of days late, with Cruyff's dream team beating Madrid 5-0.
Their children have children and jobs that Gabriel continues to think are too complicated. But they have always had a "yes" to accompany him to the Camp Nou to see Van Gaal's Barça, Ronaldinho's, the golden era of Guardiola and Messi... Always with Sidro and the Vilaseca, until the latter died during the pandemic.
A year ago, Gabriel's great grandson came to pick him up at home to accompany him on his first experience of women's football. They were two of the more than 91,500 spectators at Camp Nou in the Barça-Madrid Champions League. At the time, he already accused the wear and tear of traveling to the Camp Nou. That is why, now, at 81 years old, it has been difficult for him to decide. But it will go. On Sunday, he will pay for the wear and tear to say goodbye to a stage that has accompanied him all his life. The Camp Nou and him. The last game, the last time, the last dance.
