Jürgen Klopp, the German who coaches Liverpool, says that football is a matter of faith and that if a fan wants to help his team, he must go from skeptic to believer. Football has something of a religion: to be a follower you have to build a story, relate 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 loyalty.
I say all this because today, in addition to being an election day in which a large 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 the Barcelona secular religion, it is also the 'last game in a field that was known as new (Camp Nou), but that had become old for us. Manchester United describes Old Trafford as the theater of dreams, because unexpected events happened there. Miracles, some say, again to reinforce the concept of religion. Psychologists note that moving home is one of the three most stressful events in a human being's life (the other two being the death of a family member and changing jobs). And it will be for Barcelona fans, used to their locality, their view of the field and the members of the nearby seats with whom they comment on the plays.
I was lucky enough to attend the first official match at Camp Nou 65 years ago. I hadn't yet turned four and an uncle of mine, who was a scenographer at the Liceu and a member of Penya Solera, took me to the stadium. Barça beat Jaén 6-1 and the Uruguayan Villaverde scored the first goal shortly after kick-off. I have images burned into 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, everyone will say today that they were there, even those who do not have the age.
Today I am going to say goodbye to the old and beautiful stadium designed by Francesc Mitjans, where I have been overwhelmed by so many emotions, where I have seen my children grow up and where I have shared all kinds of moments. And where I have not lost faith, even if the devil sometimes tempts me.
