91,062 people show their support in the fight against ALS

Fever pitch in the stadium. 91,062 people attended the Spotify Camp Nou to aid the fight against ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), still an incurable neurodegenerative disease. Everyone wanted to thank Juan Carlos Unzué, the man behind the entertaining match played on Wednesday between Xavi's Barça and and Guardiola's Manchester City.

“I would like to thank FC Barcelona and Manchester City for their commitment and sensitivity to our cause. I also want to thank everyone who bought a ticket, and everyone who donated via the row zero initiative. I would like you to know that everyone from the ALS team - here on the pitch with me - want to keep living and enjoying life”, stated Unzué, just before a ceremonial kick off to the backdrop of a standing ovation from the crowd.

Unzué, a half on each bench

Unzué sat next to Josep Guardiola after kick off, from where he watched the first half. The second saw him switch to the opposite bench as Xavi Hernández' "assistant". He looked to be enioying himself with both coaches, smiling and discussing the match. Both images were worth their weight in gold, as was the pre-match greeting between Guardiola and Xavi, who were meeting for the first time since they were coach and player from 2008 and 2012.

Miki Núñez sings the charity song

Miki Núñez was another of the stars of the show, singing 'Ara', the charity song to symbolise the fight against ALS. The song's proceeds from playback will all go to Fundación Catalana de ELA Miquel Valls, which aims to improve the quality of life of people with ALS and to fight against this as yet incurable disease. A commemorative scarf was also visible throughout the Spotify Camp Nou with all proceeds going to Fundación Luzón.

The event in Spotify Camp Nou will no doubt aid the fight against ALS, but as Unzué mentioned during his speech, the next step is “to remove the red tape and approve the ALS Law, there is no more time to lose”.