Futbol Club Barcelona (Catalan pronunciation: [fubˈbɔl ˈklub bəɾsəˈlonə]), widely known as FC Barcelona and often referred to as Barça ([ˈbaɾsə]), is a professional football club located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The club competes in La Liga, the premier division of Spanish football.
Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German, and English footballers led by Joan Gamper, FC Barcelona has grown into a symbol of Catalan identity and culture, which is reflected in its motto, "Més que un club" ("More than a club"). Unlike most football clubs, Barcelona is owned and operated by its supporters. It ranks as the third-most valuable football club globally, valued at $5.6 billion, and is the fourth-highest earning football club, generating €800.1 million in annual revenue. The club's official anthem, "Cant del Barça," was written by Jaume Picas and Josep Maria Espinàs. Barcelona is known for its distinctive dark blue and garnet striped kit, earning it the nickname Blaugrana.
Barcelona is one of the most successful football clubs in the world. Domestically, the club has won a record 77 trophies, including 27 La Liga titles, 31 Copa del Rey titles, 14 Supercopa de España trophies, three Copa Eva Duarte titles, and two Copa de la Liga trophies, making it the record holder in the latter four competitions. On the international stage, Barcelona has claimed 22 prestigious European and global titles: five UEFA Champions League trophies, a record four UEFA Cup Winners' Cups, five UEFA Super Cups, a record three Inter-Cities Fairs Cups, two Latin Cups (a joint record), and three FIFA Club World Cups. The club was ranked first in the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) Club World Ranking in 1997, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015, and as of May 2023, it holds the ninth position in the UEFA club rankings. Barcelona shares a fierce rivalry with Real Madrid, with their encounters known as El Clásico.
Barcelona is one of the most widely supported football clubs globally, with one of the largest social media followings among sports teams. The club's players have collectively won a joint record of twelve Ballon d'Or awards, with legends like Johan Cruyff among the recipients. Barcelona players have also secured a record six FIFA World Player of the Year titles, with icons such as Romário, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Lionel Messi being recognized. In 2010, an extraordinary achievement occurred when three players from the club's famed youth academy—Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and Xavi—were named the top three players in the world in the Ballon d'Or rankings, a unique feat for players from the same academy. Furthermore, players representing Barcelona have claimed a record eight European Golden Shoe awards.
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