Camp Nou, located in the Les Corts district of Barcelona, is one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world. Serving as the home ground for FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957, the stadium stands as a symbol of football excellence and a historic landmark in the sport. With a seating capacity of nearly 100,000, it is the largest stadium in Europe and one of the largest in the world.

FC Barcelona, commonly referred to as Barça, is one of the most successful football clubs globally, known for its rich history, remarkable achievements, and unique style of play. Over the years, Camp Nou has witnessed some of the greatest talents in football, showcasing legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Among these iconic players are Johan Cruyff, who revolutionised football tactics with his Total Football philosophy; Ronaldinho, whose flair captivated fans; and Lionel Messi, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

An essential part of FC Barcelona’s success is its renowned youth academy, La Masia. Established in 1979, La Masia has produced a plethora of talented players who have gone on to achieve greatness both at the club and international levels. Notable graduates include Pep Guardiola, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

La Masia’s philosophy emphasises technical skill, intelligence, and a deep understanding of the game, contributing significantly to Barcelona’s distinctive playing style. This commitment to nurturing young talent ensures that Camp Nou remains a theatre of dreams, where the legacy of past legends inspires future generations.

Camp Nou is currently undergoing extensive renovations aimed at modernising the iconic stadium and enhancing the overall fan experience. This ambitious project, part of the Espai Barça initiative, includes increasing the stadium’s seating capacity to over 105,000, adding a new roof, and incorporating state-of-the-art technology and facilities. The renovations also focus on sustainability, with plans to implement energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly materials. These upgrades are designed to maintain Camp Nou’s status as a premier football venue while preserving its rich history and heritage. The revamped stadium is expected to further cement FC Barcelona’s reputation as a global football powerhouse and provide a world-class environment for both players and fans.

Visca el Camp Nou is a photographic documentary by photographer Alex Amorós on the the historic home of FC Barcelona. The limited edition A5 zine contains 36 colour photographs across 32 pages.

There can be few bigger clubs in world football than FC Barcelona.

Visca el Barça as they say in Catalonia. Long Live Barça. And Visca el Camp Nou, long live the ground that has spawned some of the greatest footballers ever to grace the planet.

But big changes are on the way and during the 2023/24 season, this grand old stage will be given a massive makeover. Out with the old, and in with the new for the Camp Nou. Photographer and fan Alex Amorós says it will never be the same again. Modernisation will cost the Camp Nou “its taste” he says.

His pictures are his tribute to an imposing, iconic ground. Whatever is next for the Camp Nou, Amorós at least has given it his own personal preservation order.

Visca el Camp Nou | Alex Amorós

Visca el Camp Nou is a photographic documentary by Alex Amorós on the the historic home of FC Barcelona.

A limited edition A5 zine containing 36 colour photographs across 32 pages.

£8.50

Shop now

Camp Nou is a place of pilgrimage, says Amorós, for a fan base that stretches way beyond Catalonia’s capital city. Its influence reaches worldwide, the free-flowing style of football carries a stamp of approval its creator, the Dutch master Johan Cruyff, would have been rightly proud of. 

Camp Nou is the focal point for this fanatical community in North Eastern Spain.

Its 99,354 seated capacity makes it comfortably the biggest, purpose-built football ground in Europe. 

But Barcelona, as their motto proclaims, is more than just a club. Mas Que Un Club is how it translates, and more than just a club is how they live their lives, says Amorós.

“They have a strong identification with society. It is a family, a community, and an institution. It is the culture,” says Amorós.

The culture behind the way Barça play their football has been exported around the world. Their academy has produced a conveyor belt of not just world class players, but also respected and renowned coaches, all initially educated in the Barça way when young players.

For them, it all began behind the walls of La Masia de Can Planes – The Farmhouse – as their football school of learning translates to.

La Masia features prominently in Amorós’s pictures as he recognises the role it has played in laying the foundations for the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Carlos Puyol and Pep Guardiola. 

Many attribute the club’s success to its philosophy and style of play. One philosophy, one mentality, from the bottom of the club to the top, Cruyff’s total football mixed with traditional Spanish one-touch play, ‘tiki-taka’.

“My relationship with the Camp Nou goes back a long way,” explains Amoros. “I worked there for two years part-time when I was studying in Barcelona and one of the best memories I have is when I saw Messi score his first goal from Ronaldinho’s pass. 

“I had seen Messi play with the B team a few weeks earlier in the old Mini Estadi stadium that was next to the Camp Nou and you could already see what he was capable of at 16 years of age.”

“Barcelona fans are called Culers, Catalonian for those who show their backsides,” explains Amorós. “It came about when supporters used to sit on the wall watching the games in the old stadium of Les Corts and was the first sight rival fans saw as they approached the ground.”

It’s an image that has stuck with Barcelona and epitomises their attitude of independence and indifference to the outside world, both in the rest of Spain and beyond its shores.

“Barcelona has a demanding fan base in which the style of play is important, but also the players that fight for their team are respected,” says Amorós.

“The spirit of Barcelona was represented by Iniesta, Xavi and Messi, but all of them would not have been possible without one of my favourite players, Puyol, a player with less talent but with a lion’s heart. 

“That is what Barça is. It is a feeling.”

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