FCBARCELONA.CAT

16.05.2010 22:28

Party time

Roger Bogunyà

Camp Nou resounded to the noise of FC Barcelona celebrating the 20th league title in their history as the party started inside the stadium with a firework display after beating Real Valladolid.

After waiting 12 years to clinch the championship on their own ground, the Blaurgana were able to delight their own supporters with a convincing performance against La Pucela on Sunday evening. Every member of the squad took to the pitch when the final whistle blew to join in the party and to receive the applause and cheers of the fans inside the stadium.

Back out

The players disappeared down the tunnel after the initial celebrations and then reappeared some 40 minutes later after the crowd had been entertained with music. Dani Alves was the first to reappear and he was followed out by the rest of the team with club captains, Víctor Valdés, Xavi , Andrés Iniesta and Carles Puyol last. The coaching staff also joined in with Tito Vilanova and Pep Guardiola enjoying the playing of Queen anthem ‘We are the champions’.

Taking the mic

The microphone was then set up to let the players thank the fans personally and Puyol and Xavi spoke before Gerard Piqué summed things up. “There were people that did not want us to win or hoped we would slip up, but that is just their bad luck,” he said. Now we have retained the title.”

Wembley next

Having just won the title, Valdés looked ahead to next term when the Champions League final will be back in London. “We hope to be celebrating at Wembley again,” he stated. Guardiola then explained that he was disappointed not to have one more game to play. “This week we had a chance to play [in the final of the Champions League] and we did not take it. We owe you one,” he said to the fans.

All the players thanked the crowd for their support and were in jovial mood. Éric Abidal even found time to speak to his family. “I have a message for my wife. Put the kids’ jackets on so that they do not get cold,” he joked.