From the mud to the glory of the Camp Nou

20 years separate that minority underworld from dreamers who fought against stigmas, insults and constant contempt for the glory of being applauded and recognized by 91,553 souls. Alexia’s reverence for the public, with more women and girls than usual, symbolizes the creation of wholesale references thanks to nights like Wednesday. For them, and also for them: because now there are children who, in addition to admiring Pedri, also want to be like Aitana Bonmatí at playground time. We must praise the ambition of the board of Joan Laporta to decide to open the stadium and further enhance the visibility of a team that is acquiring a social dimension that goes beyond their feats in sport . The story did not end with the goal of the triplet.

Barça has been leading a transformative movement in Spain since 2015, when it decided to professionalise the women’s section in a decisive way with steps forward marked by the offices, especially of the former Maria Teixidor manager. For example, understanding that it was necessary to provide the team with specialized medical services and to adapt the physical preparation to the menstrual cycle of the players. The improvement of the structure that Barça has been building in recent years, starting with the architect Markel Zubizarreta, has forced skeptical clubs such as Real Madrid to put their batteries in place so as not to be left behind for good.

Barça’s challenge now is to stay in the lead, not to lower their guard or get tired of holding the flagpole of the leadership: neither from the box nor from the stands. The extraordinarily successful dynamic of the team facilitates the euphoria, the photos and the marketing, but it will be necessary to be there also when the way does a little more ascent. Otherwise, normalization will not be possible. May the March 30th party serve to never return to the mud.