After more than 30 years, FC Barcelona is visiting Austria again, and its footballers will face St. Pölten as defending Champions League champions. Ex-legionnaire Hans Krankl on fascination and myth.
They exist, these names that radiate far beyond football borders. FC Barcelona is one such. Founded in 1899 and “més que un club” – more than a club, is the proud club motto. Anyone traveling to the capital of Catalonia often stops by the legendary Camp Nou in addition to the Sagrada Familia. Because the Catalan identity is celebrated there, especially in the “clasico”, which thrives on the eternal rivalry with Real Madrid. Which has seen absolute sporting greats from Johan Cruyff to Lionel Messi as a stage and where over 90,000 fans (after the ongoing renovation there will be room for over 100,000) regularly lie at the feet of their idols. In today’s currency: definitely an Insta spot, even if not all die-hard “cules”, as the followers call themselves, might like it.
“This is one of the best or perhaps the best club in the world,” enthuses Hans Krankl. Between 1978 and 1980 he wore the jersey of “Blaugrana”, the Blue Reds, and as the best goalscorer in Europe (41 goals this season), he shot Barça to triumph in the Cup of the Cup in his first season. “That was already a myth back then. The whole city and the Catalans live for it, the Catalan blood flows in them,” remembers the “Goleador”.
