FC Barcelona Legacy at European Championships: Past and Present Blaugranas’ Pursuit for Glory

With the first Euro 24 semi-final concluded, the spotlight now falls on the esteemed legacy of FC Barcelona players at the European Championships. Blaugranas from both Spain and France showcased their prowess, with Spain securing a spot in the final against either England or the Netherlands this Sunday at 9.00 pm CEST at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Among the four FC Barcelona players in contention for glory are Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Fermín, as Jules Kounde narrowly missed the final hurdle.

Over the years, FC Barcelona has seen several players feature in European Championship finals solely representing Spain. Notable names like Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram, and Deco have also accomplished this feat during their careers, though not during their time at the Club. Honoring the legacy of those who did, it dates back to 1964 when five Blaugranas clinched Spain’s first European Championship victory. The likes of Ferran Olivella, Josep Maria Fusté, Salvador Sadurní, Pedro Zaballa, and Jesús Pereda triumphed in a historic moment with a 2-1 victory in the final.

Fast forward twenty years to 1984, four FC Barcelona players – Víctor Muñoz, ‘Lobo’ Carrasco, Julio Alberto, and Marcos Alonso – braved the journey to the final, only to face a setback with a 2-0 defeat to France. The golden era of Spanish football, marked by back-to-back victories in 2008 and 2012, showcased esteemed Blaugranas. The prominent players like Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, and Andrés Iniesta spearheaded the Spanish charge in 2008, followed by a repeat performance in 2012. Complementing the squad in 2012 were Pedro Rodríguez, Sergio Busquets, Víctor Valdés, Gerard Piqué, and Cesc Fábregas.

With 17 different players from FC Barcelona having reached European Championship finals, the current quartet of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Fermín strive to etch their names alongside the illustrious list of champions. Whether they grace the final match or not, their pursuit for continental glory reflects the Club’s rich heritage at the European stage.