Gabriel was 15 years old, but he has quite clear memories of that September of 1957. He remembers, as if it were a painting, how Barcelona woke up that day of La Mercè, decked out in Barça colors for the inauguration of the Camp Nou. His father often said that the Les Corts field was too small because of Kubala and, like Gabriel, he longed 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 finish an urgent order. So, Gabriel promised himself that he would never miss a big date at the Camp Nou. And, after 65 years, he could be satisfied that he had fulfilled the promise.
In the autumn of 1960 he was already dating Conxita, who was angry when she found out that on their anniversary, November 23, she would go with Sidro and Vilaseca to see Barça-Madrid in the round of 16 round of the European Cup. What a feeling, to see your Barça eliminate Madrid from that prestigious competition! For the first time he saw the force of the new packed stadium on the rival team. It was one of the things that he explained the most to his daughter and his son every time he went to watch a game. They begged to accompany him often. Also on All Saints' Day in 1978, when he would bundle up to go see the second leg of the Cup Winners' Cup against Anderlecht. Gabriel admitted the next day that it hurt him to have gone without the family because the party was one of those who remember him all his life. What a comeback at the Camp Nou! Luckily, over the years, he removed the thorn. Although they were taking exams at the institute, they took the kids to the final against Standard Liège and they cried with joy at that 1982 Cup Winners' Cup. And boasting of university children, they vibrated with the entire Camp Nou on the night of the hat-trick in Pichi Alonso against Göteborg. The best gift of Kings of the year 1994 came a couple of days late with the 5-0 Cruyff dream team against Madrid.
His children have children and jobs that Gabriel still thinks are too complicated. But they have always had a yes to accompany him to the Camp Nou to see Van Gaal's Barça play, Ronaldinho's, the one from the golden age of Guardiola and Messi... Always by the side of Sidro and Vilaseca, until the latter died during the pandemic.
A year ago, Gabriel's eldest grandson came to look for him at home to accompany him in his first experience of women's soccer. They were two of the more than 91,500 spectators at the Camp Nou in the Barça-Madrid Champions League. So, he already accused the wear and tear of moving to the Camp Nou. For this reason, now, at 81 years old, it has been difficult for him to decide. But he will go. On Sunday he will pay the price to say goodbye to a stage that has accompanied him a lifetime. The Camp Nou and him. The last game, the last time, the last dance.
