It is a special day in Catalonia for the Barcelona dressing room and fans across the globe as the team returned to the turf after a seemingly endless hiatus for a training session earlier today.
23,000 supporters flocked to the stands to have a glimpse of players at the venue after a break that had spanned over 890 days, and emotions ran high as several players made their way onto the historic pitch for the first time.
During the training session, several players spoke to the club’s social media about the experience and how they felt on the special occasion.
Araujo’s emotional return
Ronald Araujo began by delivering a captain’s perspective of the development, especially as he is one of the few players to have played several games at the venue before.
“I’m extremely happy. It feels great to return to Camp Nou, to see how it’s become, it’s so beautiful, and especially with our fans. Really, it’s something truly wonderful.”
Elaborating on how it felt to return to the turf at the special venue after a long hiatus, Araujo spoke on how it made him emotional.
“I was a bit emotional. When we were on the bus, I said to Luis ‘I feel some excitement about returning to Camp Nou’.”
“Everyone knows what this stadium means, the awe it imposes on everyone,” he added.
Acknowledging that he is one of the few players who has played at the venue before, Araujo said,
“There are teammates who have never played here before and had never entered this place.”
“Honestly, everything was just so beautiful. I’m so happy with what I see, with what the stadium has become, and I’m also happy that the fans showed up in large numbers today to support us,” he added.
The player then did not hold back and stated how desperate the players are to return home for an official game.
“We’re really eager to get back to playing here.”
Finally, the captain thanked the fans for always backing the team and for turning up in large numbers for just the training session.
“Yes, Barcelona fans are always there, always standing with us at all times, and this is the most beautiful thing.”
“The presence of this large number today at the training gives us great motivation for what is to come.
“We still have a lot ahead, and we are working hard, and God willing, we will give the fans many joys,” he concluded.
Casado’s dream
Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona home ground
Barcelona players trained at Spotify Camp Nou. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Marc Casado, Barcelona’s homegrown midfielder, was the next to face the media, and the player also shared how ecstatic he was to be back at the Spotify Camp Nou.
“Amazing. I really enjoyed this return to Spotify Camp Nou. In fact, it’s not a full return, but just a training experience, but the feeling was wonderful.”
“I think we all felt like we were at home here, whether the fans or the players. And as you know, I don’t know if we were 22 or 25 players, but the atmosphere was amazing,” he added on the comfort felt at the venue.
The midfielder then thanked fans for turning up in large numbers and how the team hoped to return completely to the venue soon.
“The fans, even though it was just a training session, were truly fantastic, and we hope to return here soon.”
While Casado has trained at the stadium, he has yet to play an official game for Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. Quizzed on the same, he said,
“No, I haven’t played at the Camp Nou yet. It’s true that I’ve been part of some squads, but I still dream of playing an official match here with Barcelona, and I hope that happens soon.”
“As I told you, it’s a completely different thing. The pitch is amazing, as it is everywhere the club takes good care of it, but the atmosphere in the stands today was truly exceptional,” he added.
Finally, the youngster concluded his interview speaking on how the atmosphere would only get better once the entire team was back.
“Even though we were only 22 or 25 players, there were still so many people who couldn’t attend, and yet, the vibe today was absolutely fantastic.”
Rashford’s unique return
While Casado spoke on being a homegrown player who has not played at the venue, Marcus Rashford is a player on the opposite end of the spectrum who did play at Camp Nou, but not as a Barcelona player.
Marcus Rashford, Barcelona player
Rashford is excited to play at the new Spotify Camp Nou. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“It felt really amazing. I think it’s a fantastic stadium, and as you can imagine, when it’s filled with fans, it’ll be unbelievable,” he said on the atmosphere.
“I can’t wait to play here in front of our fans in the matches,” he added.
Praising the fans for turning up and how it felt to be on the turf at the historic stadium, the winger said,
“It’s great that they can come to watch the first training session. The pitch is truly incredible, and I’m really excited to play on it.”
Rashford’s previous games at the stadium have come with Manchester United and it was an away ground for the player at the time. On now calling it home, he said,
“Definitely, it will be a completely different feeling. The Camp Nou has always been one of my favourite stadiums, and I’ve always wanted to play in it.”
“But playing on it in a Barcelona shirt is a completely different feeling, of course. I don’t know how it will be afterwards, but I’m really looking forward to it and will definitely enjoy it,” he added.
Speaking on the experience of training at the venue and how the team felt during the session, Rashford said,
“It was good. We didn’t do intense training sessions today because we’re still in the recovery phase after the previous match, and we’re preparing for the upcoming one.”
“But as I said, it was a perfect opportunity for the fans to feel more connected to us as players, and these moments are really special,” he added.
Finally, the summer signing opened up on the special bond felt with fans on the night.
“I’m so happy that they were able to attend and watch us train, and it’s the first time for us too, so it was a shared experience between us and them.”
Source: FC Barcelona YouTube