Camp Nou will start the 2016/17 season without the voice of stadium announcer Manel Vich for the first time in 60 years. In tribute to the Barça legend, his son Carles will take up his father’s former role for two of the most special games of the season, the Gamper Trophy game and the ‘Diada del Soci Solidari’. Carles Vich has previous experience having filled in for his father on several occasions at Camp Nou.
For the rest of the matches during the season, the stadium announcer will be Aleix Santacana, a member of the Communications Department at the Club and who for the last few seasons has been press officer for the Barça basketball team. He has also worked at Barça TV and has ample experience in match commentary and public speaking.
He was the match announcer during five seasons at the Palau Blaugrana and also carried out the task at Camp Nou for a Barça match in October 2008.
Carles Vich will take the microphone for the first time on 10 August for the Gamper Trophy game against Italian side Sampdoria. Aleix Santacana will make his debut on 17 August in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla.
Carles Vich
“It’s an emotional feeling to be where my father spent so many years. I am very excited and the gesture by the club is a marvelous one, just like so many they made when my father was alive. I am so happy.”
Aleix Santacana
“It’s a challenge that I am facing with excitement and it’s also an honour. I would like to thank all the people at the Club who have shown confidence in me. Manel Vich is irreplaceable but we will try in his absence.”
