FCBARCELONA.CAT

22.12.2009 13:00

Shared joy at Milito return

Anna Segura

Milito’s return to active duty, albeit in a friendly, led to an emotional ovation from the players and coaches on the bench when the centre back was substituted.

The unity in the six-trophy winning Barça squad was patent in Monday’s friendly in Kuwait. They have won everything in 2009, but neither do they forget the minor details, as could be seen in the game against Kazma Sporting Club, where Gaby Milito make his return from injury.

Ovation on the bench

In the 62nd minute, Josep Guardiola decided to replace Gaby Milito with Oriol Romeu, and as he made his way to his seat, he was greeted by rapturous applause. There was obvious delight among the team to see the Argentinian back to his old self.

602 days later

It has taken 602 days for Gaby Milito to get back onto the pitch. His unfortunate injury was sustained exactly 1 year, 7 months and 23 days ago. He did play one game behind closed doors against Bolívar at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, but it was in Kuwait that Milito’s recovery was fully confirmed. All that remains now is to see the player appear in an official match for FC Barcelona. Getting Milito back is arguably better than any signing Guardiola could have hoped to make during the winter transfer window.

Night of light and colour

The game in Kuwait offered a host of other images and anecdotes. It all started with a pre-match ceremony that was worthy of any sporting occasion. The players were welcomed onto the field by a firework display and almost everybody in the stadium was decked out in Barça’s famous colours. It is clear that FC Barcelona’s impact can be felt everywhere around the world.