Deportes

Kilos of confetti and tons of excitement were thrown and collected throughout the city. Hundreds of thousands of people came out to accompany the parade, which confirms that Barcelona excites, that it has touched a chord and reaffirms its connection with the people and especially with the young culés. The streets embraced the League champions, the footballers who crushed Madrid in 35 matches. The most uninhibited fans identify with the fun spirit that this team exudes on and off the field. It is a champion with a lot of charisma. Or with aura, as they say now.

The Real Madrid of the second blank year, of the fight between Tchouaméni and Valverde, of Kylian Mbappé’s ‘mockery’ with his escape to Cagliari or his Instagram messages, of Arbeloa invoking the spirit of Juanito or the decomposition of a sports project that, two springs ago, lifted the Champions League, was born one fine day in May 2025 where Florentino Pérez and Xabi Alonso promised wine and roses.

Winning a league title grants a license for almost anything. As a rule, FC Barcelona would not look kindly on some of its players riding bicycles at dawn, or dancing in the city center surrounded by people. But with one more cup — understood as a trophy — the normally strict Blaugrana regulations relax. Also for the president.

If Hansi Flick’s office door greeted visitors with a motto, it could well be: “Delighted to be here.” What for other coaches could be a torture that changes their mood or even adds years to their appearance is a joy for the German. True, he is not always radiant. True, he gets angry when his players do not deliver what he expects from them. True, on the sidelines he gets upset over refereeing decisions he considers unfair. But, in general terms, he more often shows a smile, a hug, words of encouragement, and optimism. These are values recognized in him that make him a true idol for the fans and almost a father figure for his young protégés. The fans and players have comforted him in these difficult days, as his father passed away on Sunday. Even so, he remained at the helm.

El Camp Nou overflowed with joy. Winning the League after winning the clásico was a milestone that both the team and the fans celebrated in grand style. A celebration that has sparked reactions from various personalities. Among them, Pedro Sánchez, Leo Messi, and Ronaldinho.

It was not just winning a League. It was doing it against Madrid. It was not just prevailing in a clásico. It was doing it in the clásico that decided the title. It was not just any celebration. It was a unique celebration. That is how the Barcelona fans understood it at the Spotify Camp Nou, turned into a wave of emotions. That is how the blaugrana players interpreted it, who gave their all to not miss an opportunity that had never come before. Barcelona’s second consecutive League came thanks to two superb goals from Rashford and Ferran. The fifth title of the Flick era arrived with a victory over a shattered and disoriented Madrid, lost in their fights and lack of a plan. Barça’s third League in four seasons was unleashed justly, with the team’s best player, Lamine Yamal, enjoying it from the stands due to injury.

“I don’t know what to say. My team is fantastic. I am proud of all of them,” said Hansi Flick with teary eyes. Emotional. “It wasn’t easy,” repeated the coach who experienced his happiest day as a coach by winning his second League as Barcelona’s coach and, surely, one of the most difficult on a personal level after the passing of his father early this morning at the age of 81. His loss stirred the heart of Barcelona fans and his players, who lifted him to the sky of Camp Nou after winning the League on a historic day: against Real Madrid and at the Spotify Camp Nou.

The second consecutive League of the same group of players is always more important than the first. It refers to consistency, reaffirms the path taken, and ratifies the work done. Hansi Flick’s Barça (the project carries the German’s first and last name just as PSG’s does…

The myth chose the promise. Paula Blasi’s story will forever be linked to the legend of L’Angliru. It was on one of the most fearsome climbs that can be tackled where the Catalan was crowned winner of the 2026 Vuelta a España, where she rose among the greats of this sport at just 23 years old. In the queen stage, where the great pages are written, the cyclist from Esplugues was able to seize the final victory and snatch the red jersey from Anna van der Breggen, one of the best of the century. The present and the future overtook the past in an unforgettable ascent that exalted Blasi.

One day after Fede Valverde reacted, Aurélien Tchouaméni did so via a statement on social media. He did so once the half-million euro fine for each of the two Real Madrid players became known.