Ludovic Giuly is someone who still feels deeply connected to Barcelona’s identity.
Giuly has a rich history with the Blaugrana. To put it in perspective, he spent three seasons with the club and in that time, he won five trophies.
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This includes two La Liga titles, two Spanish Super Cups and a UEFA Champions League title.
This is why his latest visit brought a mix of emotion, reflection, and sharp analysis about where Barcelona stand today.
During a recent media appearance, Giuly, a former French international, said that his bond is tied specifically to the club’s historic home, Spotify Camp Nou, not its temporary setting.
“I don’t go to Montjuïc because it’s not my home”
That attachment only grew stronger as he finally returned to Camp Nou, even in its unfinished state.
Describing what the stadium still means to him, he admitted,
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“This is the first time I’ve come to the stadium, to Camp Nou, in a while because it’s the stadium I love; it’s the club where I played,” he said.
Getting emotional
The moment clearly hit him on a personal level, as he acknowledged the emotions tied to his return.
“I might shed a tear today, but that’s okay.”
While the nostalgia was evident, Giuly also took time to assess the club’s transformation, particularly the redevelopment of Camp Nou.
He pointed out what is still missing, but remained optimistic about the result.
Ludovic Giuly has shared his opinion on the new Barcelona. (Photo by Friedemann Vogel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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“It’s missing the third tier, the roof… When it’s finished, it’s going to be an incredible stadium.”
Footballing principles
On the pitch, despite recognising how the modern game has become faster and more physical, Giuly insisted that one core value must remain unchanged.
“For me, the difference is always the same: the team comes first, then the players.”
Looking at the current squad and coaching structure, he acknowledged the work being done by Xavi Hernandez and Hansi Flick.
“There’s a young player with magic… we have to take care of him.”
That player, of course, is Lamine Yamal, a talent Giuly sees as special but also in need of protection and careful development.
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“That’s the strength of La Masia… I haven’t seen it anywhere else.”
Not a UCL team
Interestingly, Giuly did not shy away from delivering a reality check. Despite the positives, he believes Barcelona are still short of what is required to compete at the very top level in Europe.
“This Barça is missing a lot of things to win the Champions League.”
The conversation then moved into the modern football environment, where Giuly expressed clear concern about the influence of technology on players.
“The current situation with phones and social media is a disaster.”
Expanding on that point, he warned about the impact on focus and mentality, especially among younger players.
“If you let them have their phones, they can spend hours looking at nonsense. It’s like a drug. Their minds aren’t there,” he concluded.
Source: MARCA
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