BarcelonaA new T-shirt is ready to be hung from the Palau Blaugrana. Aitor Egurrola, Barça star and emblem of roller hockey, says goodbye to the club of his life as the club’s most acclaimed athlete (77 titles) in 122 years of history. With a packed 1899 Auditorium, the captain has received warmth and recognition for his exceptional and historic skate race. For more than a minute, Egurrola noticed the warmth with a standing ovation that set the whole room on its feet and moved both the Barça president Joan Laporta, who accompanied him to the farewell, and the protagonist himself.
Aitor’s story at Can Barça has a bittersweet ending. Starting at Castelldefels and passing through the Horta base, a young man from Egurrola arrived at the Barça club in the summer of 1995. He made his debut with the first team at the age of 18, on October 31, 1998, and since then his figure has become key to understanding the team that has raised the most titles. Now, the athlete with the most Barça trophies says goodbye. “I have been able to belong to the club that I carry in my heart,” he confessed Octopus.
After 27 seasons, and 24 in the first team, Egurrola leaves the club of his life, although not by his own decision. “The reality is that my intention and will was to continue for another year. Unfortunately for me, Barça informed me that they had decided not to renew my contract. That is why, and since I have always been very clear that I wanted to retire at Barça, which we agreed to announce my retirement. At the end of the school year I will hang up my skates “, he admitted. “I am 41 years old and I am aware that this moment could come. That is why, perhaps, I have enjoyed these last years as I have done, because I thought they could be the last,” he added with some resignation.
Bittersweet farewell to a myth
With a folded paper full of notes, the still captain wanted to dedicate a few words to all those who have accompanied him on this long journey. “I’m nervous and proud. I thank the club and the staff for making this tribute possible. It’s quite impressive,” he began, looking at the 77 trophies that accompanied him on stage. “I’ve never seen them like this, together, and it’s impressive,” admitted the legendary Catalan goalkeeper with teary eyes.
Family, teammates, staff and club people. No one wanted to lose the farewell of a record man. “Aitor is the record keeper of this Palace. Many years of work by the whole team and he represents different generations. Very good work has been done since the section [d’hoquei patins]Gonzalo Pérez de Vargas told ARA. “Aitor represents Barça’s motto More than a club. It is clear that football is the driving force behind the club, but at the Palau and Johan Cruyff there are other teams that make this club even bigger. Having a figure and a reference like Aitor, who will say goodbye after so many years and so much that he has given, I think it is normal that many people in the club are here today. He is an important person, he has always been and will always be, “he added.
“Dedicating your whole life to Barça is a unique feeling. Dedicating your whole life to Barça, as a Catalan who has come from abroad and speaks perfect Catalan … It’s an honor to have athletes like him. For us it’s an example “, explained Xavi Hernández, coach of the men’s first team. “He is a living legend, an example for all of professionalism, human quality, leadership and commitment. He is part of Barça’s DNA,” added Egarenc.
They say that the soul weighs 36 grams, because it measures almost two meters and carries hockey guards ”
Eduardo Castro
“There is a fundamental spirit for everyone, which always leads us to be competitive, to train well, to be better every day,” Edu Castro, coach of the hockey team, told ARA. “Everything that has been said about Aitor is little and means a lot. This act has said a lot about what he is Octopus. He leaves the goal very big with his goodbye. Not only is it a sporty quality, it is also human. It’s the job he does beyond being a captain, it’s the constant help to everyone on the team, including tactically. It is a luxury to be with him. I hope it will take a long time for the season to end so that we can continue to enjoy it, “he said.
The president, Joan Laporta, in addition to announcing that Aitor’s shirt will be hung on the top of the Palau Blaugrana, acknowledged that the goalkeeper’s farewell was a decision taken from the offices. However, he wanted to promote the Egurrola emblem: “It’s impressive to see Aitor, who is a living legend of the club. He is very exciting. He is an example for all of us: an exemplary man and one of the people who “This club is more than just a club. At Barça we need people like you. You will always have a place here,” he said. The Catalan captain confirmed that he had the club’s doors open: “At the moment I have a job in my company and, if at any time something has to be raised, we will talk about it”.
Aitor Egurrola’s name will forever be linked to the pages of Barça’s history: 77 titles guarantee him as the most praised Barça athlete, and the figure may be even more exorbitant. If the team manages to be proclaimed league champions this year (going first and by far), winning the Copa del Rey and winning the Golden Cup (the new Champions), the Catalan captain will end up winning around eighty titles.
