Culers we lost in 2024
So many people have brought us so much joy at Barça over the years. But sadly, 2024 has been a particularly sore one, with several iconic names departing this world. As we embark on a new year, let's pause to remember some of the people who left us in the last 12 months.
Johan Neeskens
Neeskens, an icon at Barça and in his native Netherlands, played for the club from 1974 to 1979 in 183 competitive matches and scoring 53 goals. He was a fan favourite, not just for his immaculate footballing ability but also because of his endearing charisma, making his one of the most emblematic players ever to represent the club.
Hugo Sotil
Considered one of the greatest South American players of his era, the Peruvian known as "Cholo" won the hearts of the blaugrana fans of the seventies. A skillful, brave and intuitive striker, who joined Barça from Municipal de Lima, he was all about spectacle. An ever-present in the 1973/74 season, he was part of a legendary line-up alongside the likes of Rexach, Asensi, Cruyff and Marcial.
Jose Pinto
Pinto was a brilliantly quick right back who had to fight for a place in the first team against stiff competition from Olivella, Segarra, Gràcia and Rodri. Signed from Girona, he played for the reserve side known as España Industrial from 1955 and then Comtal after 1956/57. In 1961, after 21 games he departed for Real Valladolid, where he forged a solid career.
César Luis Menotti
FC Barcelona coach in the latter part of 1982/83 and all of 1983/84, the man who led Argentina to the 1978 World Cup also won the Copa del Rey, Copa de la Liga and Spanish Super Cup at Barça. Born in Rosario in 1938, he replaced Udo Lattek at the Camp Nou, where he was placed in charge of a team that oozed unrealised potential.
Francisco López López
López López made his debut under Terry Venables in 1984/85 and was one of the big promises of the time. He had risen up the youth ranks and eventually played 14 games in the Liga winning side of 1984/85, also winning the Copa del Rey in 1987/88 and the last ever Copa de la Liga in 1985/86.
Joan Casals: The Barça Grandfather
A native of Guardiola de Berguedà, Casals was a hero among heroes with Barça fans after he arrived for the Gamper Trophy game of 1984 dressed in Barça kit and a Catalan beret, looking impressively similar to the cartoon character created by Valentí Castanys in the 1920s. Everyone wanted their picture taken with him, and hence a legend was born.
This year we also lost:
Marisa Santamaria and Mercedes Martínez: Historic members of the Barça women's team.
Jerrod Mustaf: Basketball player
Ferran Riba: General Secretary of FC Barcelona from 1972 to 1975, and later a member of the Board of Directors under Agustí Montal until 1976. He returned as a director under the presidency of Josep Lluís Núñez, managing international institutional relations (1989-2000).
Rudolf Peris: A historic and multi-talented employee of the club for 38 years, who dedicated his body and soul to the cause.
Waldo Ramos: A historic figure in Catalan football with a long career. He was part of the youth football coaching staff.
Ferran Estrada: Very popular at Camp Nou with his trumpet, playing traditional Catalan songs such as the Virolai, La Santa Espina, and the Cant del Barça. Always dressed in a barretina (a traditional Catalan cap), he was one of Barça's members who ran as a presidential candidate the most times.