Twenty years ago today, on 17 May 2006, FC Barcelona won their second UEFA Champions League at the Stade de France in Paris, in a thrilling final against Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal. Frank Rijkaard’s side came from behind to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti after Sol Campbell had given the English side the lead. The triumph in Paris marked the consolidation of a sporting project and the fulfillment of a dream Barça fans had awaited since the club’s first European Cup victory at Wembley in 1992, as well as Barcelona’s return to the top tier of European football.

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To mark the anniversary, the club organised an event in the directors’ box at Spotify Camp Nou with several members of that historic team. Former players including Deco, Juliano Belletti, Santi Ezquerro, Oleguer Presas and Albert Jorquera attended, alongside assistant coach Eusebio Sacristán, goalkeeping coach Juan Carlos Unzué and other members of the technical staff.

Representing the club institutionally were Rafa Yuste, vice-president, accompanied by Joan Laporta, who was also president during the 2005/06 season.

“FC Barcelona maintains a historic and emotional bond with Paris" said Yuste. "A city with which it shares values such as culture, sport and international projection, and where, twenty years ago today, the club won its second European Cup on an unforgettable night that forms part of Barça history.”

Issue 129 of Revista Barça, to be published this May, will feature a special edition dedicated to Barça’s second UEFA Champions League triumph in Paris, including reports and interviews with some of the protagonists of that magical night.

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