The Barça men's first team win the Culer of the Year award at a 100% blaugrana gala

This evening the L’Auditori 1899 at Spotify Camp Nou played host to the second edition of the Culer of the Year awards, organised by the Catalan newspaper, Sport, in collaboration with FC Barcelona, and supported by Caixabank. The awards acknowledge the people or institutions who stand out for their commitment to all things FC Barcelona during the year or throughout their careers.

This second edition - the first since 2019 due to the pandemic - saw six awards presented after opening speeches by First vice-president for the Sporting area, Rafa Yuste, and Joan Vehils and Lluis Mascaró as the new and former managing directors of the Sport newspaper.

Joan Manuel Serrat, Culer Cultural award

The first award was for "Culer Cultural", presented to Catalan singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat by Prensa Ibérica board member, Aitor Moll, and Vice-president of the Institutional Area, Elena Fort. Serrat stated that “it is no surprise that Barça won the league title, it comes from constant hard work” and he also acknowledged “the absolute dominance of the Barça Women's team” as he received the first of the six awards.

Pau Gasol, Culer Internacional award

Pau Gasol received the next award for “Culer Internacional”, sending his thanks via a recorded video, emphasising that with Barça “I learned lessons and values. I am really grateful to the Club for having given me the chance to end my career where it started. The Barça values have always been with me and I have been proud to stand for them”.

He was represented at the gala by his parents, Agustí Gasol and Marisa Sáez, who were presented the award by the General Secretary for Sport and Physical Activity from the Catalan Government, Anna Caula, and the Director responsible for basketball, Josep Cubells.

The Barça Women football team, Culer Femení award

Next came the “Culer Femení” award, won by the Barça Women football team. They were represented by the Sports manager of Women’s Football, Markel Zubizarreta, who acknowledged that with the WCL final in Eindhoven on the horizon, “last season still rankles us and we hope to bring the cup back home”. The award was presented by Prensa Ibérica managing director, Sergi Guillot, and the Director responsible for Women’s Football, Xavier Puig.

El Mago Pop, Soci Culer award

After a live music performance by David Ros, the “Soci Culer” award was presented to Antonio Díaz, known worldwide as “el Mago Pop”, who after being presented with the award by Prensa Ibérica sports information director, Lluis Mascaró, and the Director responsible for the Social Area, Josep Ignasi Macià, acknowledged that the award “really thrills me as I am a massive Barça fan and my father will be delighted”.

Àlex Roca, Culer Solidari award

The penultimate award was for "Culer Solidari" and presented by the Director for Sponsorship from Caixabank, Alfred Bustillo, to the athlete, Àlex Roca, who through his wife, Mari Carme Maza, conveyed his “thanks to everyone who strives day after day to make this the best Club in history”.

The men's football first team, Culer de l'Any award

Lastly came the award that gives the gala its name, the "Culer de l'Any" award, won by the Barça's men's football first team for winning La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup. Sporting director, Jordi Cruyff, represented the team and highlighted “the team's togetherness. You have to get back up when you fall, and that's what we did”.

Barça representation out in force

The event ended with a photo session for all the winners and those involved in the awards ceremony, but the Club itself was strongly represented with the following persons in attendance:

Mr Rafael Yuste, First vice president. Sporting area
Ms Elena Fort, Vice president. Institutional area
Mr Josep Cubells, Director responsible for basketball
Mr Xavier Barbany, Director responsible for roller hockey
Mr Josep Ignasi Macià, Director responsible for the Social area
Mr Aureli Mas, Director responsible for futsal
Mr Xavier Puig, Director responsible for women's football
Mr Enric Masip, from the President's office
Mr Mateu Alemany, Director of Football
Mr Jordi Cruyff, Sporting director
Mr Xavier Budó, Sports director
Mr Markel Zubizarreta, Sports manager for women's football
Mr Gavy Cairo, coordinator for roller hockey
Mr Edu Castro, first team coach, roller hockey
Dr Marta Segú, Managing director of Fundación FC Barcelona
Ms Ana Aznar, Director of the Social area
Mr Joan Moya, Director of the Information Technology area