Barça is the protagonist when it takes to the field, but it is even more so on the streets of Barcelona. After confirming two new Spanish League titles, both the men's and women's teams hopped on the buses and received the adulation of the fans in an historic parade that has not been seen for several years. A festive evening in Barcelona with a three-hour tour of the city and thousands of fans cheering on their champions.
The 'culers' celebrate Barça's two leagues
From the uptown Camp Nou to the downtown Arc de Triomf - passing by the ElNacional.cat editorial office in the middle - to feel the warmth of the fans up close. The men's and women's champions were the protagonists of a parade that began with the threat of rain hanging over it, but ended with a very pleasant sunset.
Non-stop cheers and lots of laughter among the culer fans. And lots of pizza and Estrella Damm beer inside the coaches. The footballers, who started out euphoric, relaxed as the hours went by. But always with smiles on their faces in response to the fans who turned out in large numbers to greet them and congratulate them.
Apart from the obvious protagonists of this evening of celebration, there were other unexpected stars in the Barça firmament. The first and most repeated name was that of Leo Messi, who was not present in person, but he was present in the chants that the fans gave on more than one occasion throughout the parade. And the mystery surrounding the figure of Gerard Piqué has also been resolved: he was awarded the League title despite his retirement in the early part of the season, but ultimately did not make an appearance.
And still to come: the Women's Champions League final
But the truth is that the names to associate with these two leagues are those of Ronald Araujo, Alexia Putellas, Xavi Hernández, Jonatan Giráldez, Robert Lewandowski, Aitana Bonmatí, Marc-André Ter Stegen, Mapi León... champion women and men who received their deserved recognition. It was the second time that the men's and women's teams have had a joint parade after already winning the double in 2013.
But this might not be the last time that Barça fans to the streets this season, to fill Canaletes at the top of the Rambla as they did last night. The best woman footballer in the world, Alexia Putellas, was very clear and called for the Women's Champions League to be brought home to the Catalan capital on June 3rd, for the second time: "There's still Eindhoven left, we'll see you there".
This means that maybe less than a month from now the culers will be back at Canaletes and back on the streets for another rua. The Barça women's team has not yet said its last word this season.
Below, our gallery of the celebrations on Sunday night and Monday afternoon.
Photos: Carlos Baglietto / Montse Giralt
Many of the fans accompanied the three open-top buses that formed the parade to the end point at Arc de Triomf. The Catalan capital city once again celebrated its champions on a spring afternoon and just maybe will do it again soon.