More than 21,000 enthusiastic fans welcomed Barcelona’s squad back to the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou for an open training session, igniting excitement among players like Ronald Araujo, Marc Casadó, and new signing Marcus Rashford.
FC Barcelona’s first team made an emotional return to the pitch of the renovated Spotify Camp Nou on Friday for an open training session in front of over 20,000 fans.
The session marked the first time the senior squad had stepped on the historic turf in more than two years, since the massive reconstruction project began, according to Catalan sports reporting.
The event served as a symbolic reunion for the club’s players and supporters, with the atmosphere described as electric despite the stadium’s ongoing partial completion.
Many players, particularly academy graduates and recent signings, were stepping onto the famous pitch for the very first time.
Captain Ronald Araujo, one of the few veterans of the old stadium, admitted the moment was deeply moving. “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,” Araujo said, adding, “I was a bit emotional. When we were on the bus, I said to Luis ‘I feel some excitement about returning to Camp Nou’.”
Homegrown midfielder Marc Casadó, who has been part of previous squads but never played an official match at the venue, shared his anticipation. “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.” Casadó concluded by revealing his ambition: “I still dream of playing an official match here with Barcelona, and I hope that happens soon.”
New signing Marcus Rashford, who previously played at Camp Nou as a rival, was equally enthusiastic about experiencing the ground in Blaugrana colors. “I can’t wait to play here in front of our fans in the matches,” he added.