Who was "L’Avi del Barça"? An iconic figure among the Blaugrana fans!

We are launching a new Barça Academy Australia blog where we are going to share everything that is related to our beautiful club and football, such as stories, anecdotes or curiosities about the history of Barça and tips that you can use to improve your game. We start talking about a very charismatic figure among the Blaugrana fans, l’Avi del Barça (Barça’s Grandpa in english).

Valenti Castany is the father of ‘L’Avi del Barça’ (Barça’s Grandpa in english)

This past February, he passed away at the age of 90 years old and we want to remember his figure and how he became the most famous Barça supporter. We have to go back in time to the start of the 21st century. At that time, there was a character that stood out as the best fan. He had a Barca t-shirt, shorts, a flag and a big beard. Just like Santa, but wearing the Blaugrana colors. The funny thing about it was that the figure wasn’t human. It was a painting from Valentí Castanys, a local artist that made it for a humoristic sports magazine in Catalonia.

The transformation of ‘L’Avi del Barça’ to Joan Casals

It all changed in 1984. Moments before the Joan Gamper’s trophy match, one Barça fan decided to attend the match with a special outfit. Joan Casals, a supporter who never missed a match, had a very similar look-a-like to that fictional character and wanted to recreate it in real life. He went to that match being a normal fan, but nothing was normal anymore.

He started gaining a lot of fame and people started knowing him. He attended Supporters’ Clubs around the world, and the fans and players demanded photos with him. In case you missed it, Marc Bartra, former Barça player, shared a photo with him in 2014, calling him a myth. Ten years later, he reposted with a message sending his condolences to the Casals’ family after he passed away. He tweeted: “Rest in peace, Joan Casals. Today the Barça club is in deep pain. A wonderful person and the best fan.”. Joan Laporta, our president, also posted that “‘Culers will never forget you”.

The history behind the beard of ‘L’Avi del Barça‘

His passion for Barça had no limits. He made a promise once our club won the first Champions League at Wembley in 1992. He wouldn’t shave his beard until we would win it again. And that’s what he did. He waited until Carles Puyol lifted the trophy to Paris’ sky for our second title and shaved it. That’s true passion for our club and colours.

His presence is still at Camp Nou

As you can see, all the love that linked him with Barça is shown now in every way. When you walk around the Camp Nou, his presence is there. You will feel it. His kindness and sympathy will always be remembered for all ‘Culers’. One thing is clear: he will always be, wherever he is, a Barça fan with his shirt, flag, and shorts.