In Barcelona, football is a part of everyday life, not just when the match kicks off. It’s a way of life. The club colours are visible everywhere, matches are a regular ritual, and whole families share the same passion. We spoke to Barça supporter Jordi Martí about his love for the club, the city and the culture that goes with it.
A lifetime of Barça
For many visitors, an FC Barcelona match is a special experience. For 49-year-old Jordi Martí from Barcelona, it is simply part of everyday life. He has been attending his club’s matches ever since he was a child. “My father took me to Camp Nou when I was seven years old. I haven’t stopped since. Some people plan their week around their work. I plan my week around Barça.”
The city gets behind the team
On match days, the atmosphere in the city changes noticeably. Outdoor cafés fill up, conversations turn to the line-up, and the club’s blue and red colours are everywhere. “A match doesn’t start with the referee’s whistle,” says Jordi. “It starts hours earlier. Having a drink with friends, seeing the city come to life, feeling the excitement build. That’s just as important as the match itself.”
More than just football
According to Jordi, FC Barcelona is about more than just football. “Barça is part of our identity. It brings generations together. My grandfather used to go to matches, my father did too, and now I take my grandchildren along. That’s how you pass on that feeling.”
Feel the passion
Anyone visiting Barcelona should definitely experience a match, he says. “Even if you’re not a big football fan. You feel the passion, the pride and the energy of the city. Only then do you understand why so many people fall in love with Barcelona.”
Experience Barcelona like a local
An experience that, according to Jordi, can’t be captured in a travel guide, but one you have to experience for yourself. “You can take photos of the city, but you have to feel the atmosphere of a match.”That ties in perfectly with what The Away Experience stands for. Not just visiting destinations, but truly experiencing them.
