This Sunday, Frank Rijkaard was in the crowd for a friendly between the Barça Foundation and Ajax-Only Friends in Amsterdam. The FC Barcelona coach from 2003 to 2008 is now an ambassador for the Johan Cruyff Foundation and wanted to be there for the game between the two teams with intellectual disabilities. He spent some time chatting to the players and then to the club media.
Asked about the event itself, the Dutchman said “young people like these need to be given the chance to enjoy life. You see how happy they are, how they laugh and have fun."
As for goings-on at his former club, he is clearly impressed with the job being done by Xavi Hernández in the same role that he was in twenty years ago. “I have fond memories of Xavi" he said. "Now he has become the king of football. I am very happy to see the team on the right track and about to win the league. Xavi deserves that and so do the Barça fans. I'm also pleased for president Joan Laporta, who I worked with too. It is a joy to see them both being successful together.”
Rijkaard, who turned 60 last September, added that “they have had a great season. Winning the Spanish Super Cup was very important. I now expect to see Barça being crowned league champions very soon as well. It was an honour to work there."
