New-look FC Barcelona 2024/25 unveiled to the fans

There's always something special about the pre-game presentation at the Joan Gamper Trophy. It never fails to get the spine tingling with excitement... The football season is finally here! And the presentation of Barça 2024/25 was a little more special than ever. The venue was the Estadi Olimpic, but it won't be for long. In the anniversary season, Spotify Camp Nou is almost ready to welcome the players home, and with them a brand new coach and brand new hopes. The Hansi Flick era has officially handed in Barcelona!

An hour before the game with AS Monaco, there were flags and fireworks to welcome the German coach and his staff onto the field, after which each of the players were cheered as their names were announced. 

Huge ovations

Some players got especially rapturous welcomes, such as goalkeeper and new first choice captain Marc-André Ter Stegen and wonder teen Lamine Yamal, now officially part of the senior team although already a well-established part of it. And of course, the decibel level also rose considerably for the two latest signings, Pau Victor (who arrives from Girona but was already here on loan to Barça Atlètic last season) and Dani Olmo (signed from RB Leipzig but who already knows the club after spending a large part of his formative years here).

Víctor and Olmo raising passions

Pau Víctor, who was so impressive on the US Tour, was the first to speak. "It's an honour to be able to say I play for Barça" he said. "It's a dream come true and very special to make my debut in a game like the Gamper. I will give everything every day to bring joy to this club."

There were also words from Dani Olmo, for whom today's event doubled as his official presentation, just three days after his signing was announced. "I am really looking forward to wearing this shirt again" he said. "I have come here to win things. We have a great team and great fans. We'll be going for everything this season."

Flick addresses fans

New coach Hansi Flick opened his own speech with some words in Catalan. "I am very happy to be here" he said. He kept his words short and sweet, pressing home just how important it is for the fans to get behind the team and promising that his players will do everything possible to achieve their goals this season.

Captain's word

Now that Sergi Roberto is leaving, Ter Stegen is set to take over as first captain. And the German keeper had words of gratitude for his departed team-mate in his own speech, and also for former coach Xavi Hernández. "We are starting this new season with a lot of hope" he continued. "We hope it is one that brings a lot of success. But there is something else that I'm excited about this season... Going home. To the Spotify Camp Nou."

In fact, the mention of the new stadium drew one of the biggest cheers of the night, immediately before Catalan band Els Catarres performed their own take on the Barça anthem and the players withdrew to the dressing rooms ready to come back out and take on AS Monaco.