Allan Simonsen attends training camp for young Danish footballers at FC Barcelona

Former Barça striker Allan Simonsen is in the city at the moment as an ambassador for a football camp involving 130 children from his country aged 8 to 15 years, and who are currently on school vacation. The Dane says that he usually travels to the city “about five times a year to watch matches and to meet old friends” and hopes to be back in December “to see the Clásico and the game with Borussia Mönchengladbach.”

The 1977 Ballon d’Or winner was at the German club before joining Barcelona in 1979. 

“It’s been a joy to see so many kids training these last few days” said a man who is a living legend in Denmark and who has been giving useful advice to the youngsters both on and off the field. “I’ve been watching them all year and some of them are really talented. Maybe there’s a new Simonsen among them.”

The 63 year old, who also also took time out to speak to some of the members of the association of former players that passed by the pitches next to the Miniestadi, explained that the sessions he is helping with have been organised in collaboration with FCBEscola’s partner in Denmark and Norway, “Barcelona Training.”

Ana Beltrán and Dani Guillén of the organising company explained that “it’s been a pleasure to come to Barcelona this week. It’s so professionally run, everything is so well planned, thought through and organised.”

This is the sixth year that the children from their academy near Copenhagen have come to Catalonia, “where they get soaked in Barça culture in the actual place. They are very motivated by the chance to play football next to the Camp Nou”.

Beltrán adds that “I lot of them are hoping to turn professional and this experience will help to show them just how tough that can be.”