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FC Barcelona and the city of New York paid tribute on Sunday to the 'Cule' team<\/strong> that in 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, made a tour of the United States that was fundamental to the club's survival.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Barca president Joan Laporta and New York Mayor Eric Adams<\/strong> led the event at Hamilton Metz Field in Brooklyn, where the team played three friendlies in 1937<\/strong> (it was then called Commercial Field).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The tribute took place one day after the victory in 'El Clasico' (1-2)<\/a>. "It was crucial for the survival of the team<\/strong> in the middle of the Civil War," said Laporta in his speech.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Barcelona<\/a> was received in New York as an ambassador of democracy<\/strong> and at the same time as a symbol of Catalan identity and freedom in the fight against the fascists," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

For his part, Adams highlighted the "story of resilience" <\/strong>of a Barcelona that struggled tremendously in 1937 and how the money they made from that tour allowed them to continue as a club. "It is our story as human beings of never giving up<\/strong> (...). Today Barcelona epitomises the strength of football and its growth," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

In 1937, Barca<\/strong>, in a very delicate economic situation due to the Civil War, received an invitation from a businessman to tour Mexico<\/strong>, where they played 10 matches. After the success of their tour of Aztec lands, the 'Cules' subsequently extended the tour<\/strong> to the United States, where they played four more friendly matches (all in New York).<\/p>\r\n\r\n

That American tour in the middle of the war had an important symbolic and also economic value, as the money they made allowed them to clean up the team's accounts<\/strong>. But at the same time, the Civil War meant that players like Ventolra, Urquiaga, Garcia, Gual, Iborra, Pedrol and Tache decided to stay in Mexico. Others like Balmanya, Escola and Zabalo went into exile in France.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

At Sunday's event, a group of children carried posters as a tribute with the photos and names of the 1937 Barcelona players and coaching staff. "At Barcelona we believe that sport is a transversal phenomenon that builds bridges and understanding<\/strong> between people, cultures, different ages and different interests," said Laporta. "We thank the city of New York for its historic hospitality<\/strong>," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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 <\/p>\r\nAugust 4, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n

LaLiga
Barcelona

Tribute to Barcelona's history in New York City

BeSoccer 3 months ago 693 |

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The City of New York and FC Barcelona honor the Club’s 1937 team. EFE
The City of New York and FC Barcelona honor the Club’s 1937 team. EFE
FC Barcelona, from the Hamilton Metz Field in Brooklyn, made a tribute to the 1937 squad. The Spanish side went through a delicate economic situation due to the Civil War and a tour of the USA and Mexico guaranteed their survival.