Indian Ambassador to Spain welcomed by FC Barcelona

Indian Ambassador to Spain welcomed by FC Barcelona

The vice-president of International and Institutional Relations, Carles Vilarrubí, plays host to Vikram Misri on his visit to the Camp Nou

The Indian Ambassador to Spain, Vikram Misri, joined by his commercial representative, Saravanan Balasubramanian, and the Consul General of India in Barcelona, Luis Valeriano González, paid a visit to the Camp Nou on Wednesday. They were received by FC Barcelona’s vice-president for International and Institutional Relations, Carles Vilarrubí.

After an official reception in the presidential box in the stadium, the guests were shown around the club premises. They began by visiting the first team changing room, and then walked out of the players’ tunnel onto the pitch, where several photographs were taken to commemorate the occasion. It was at this moment that the ambassador was presented with a first team football shirt. The party then moved on to the FC Barcelona Museum.

During the encounter, vice-president Vilarrubí was able to explain some of the reasons why FCB is considered More than a Club and told the ambassador about the new plans to restructure the Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Vikram Misri highlighted the popularity of FC Barcelona and its players in India.

The ambassador also said some words in memory of Johan Cruyff and expressed his sympathy on the loss of one of the most important figures in Barça history.

India has more than 3,350,000 Barça fans on Facebook, the fifth highest following on that social network. It also has the FC Barcelona Fan Club India, which has 30 members. In April 2013, in collaboration with its partner Conscient Football, the club also opened the FCBEscola Delhi NCR, where approximately 600 boys and girls are currently learning at three different centres: Gurgaon, IOS Maidan and Saket. Back in 2011, FCBEscola ran its first activities in the country in the form of the first series of FCBCamps.

Statement by Carles Vilarrubí, FC Barcelona vice-president of International and Institutional Relations

 “India is a large country, and one with an amazing culture that has a huge influence on our world. The fact that he has such an interest in FC Barcelona and that he has come to visit us in order to get to know us better is very important for us, so that we can project the image of Barça and of football in India. The fact that we have achieved such sporting excellence and such great results mean that countries like this, when they show an interest in the football world, come to Barcelona and to the Camp Nou”

Statement by Vikram Misri, Indian Ambassador to Spain

"I am delighted to visit the Camp Nou, the home of FC Barcelona, which is one of the greatest clubs in football history. Barça is very popular India and its conquests are legendary. Also, football is a very fast-growing sport and I know Barça is in some way already present in our country.”

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