Ferran Torres's signing shows Barça are indestructible

When Ajax stunned Europe with their modern football in the sixties, then president of Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabeu, proposed to sign Johan Cruyff, the treble Ballon d’Or winner. He knew that Barcelona had tried in 1970 but border laws in Spanish football stopped them. Bernabeu believed he could make another ‘Di Stefano’. He invited Jaap van Praag, his Ajax counterpart, to his office to discuss the deal but the player rebelled. He wanted to play at Barcelona, even though for 14 years they had won no titles and were not respected. Cruyff changed history.

Later Juventus made Ronald Koeman a huge offer. He had recently become champion of Europe with PSV. However, Barcelona, with Cruyff as coach, signed him, even though they could not pay half as much to the player. “If you just want money, go to Juventus, if you want to win titles, come to Barça,” Cruyff told Koeman. Italy was world football’s Mecca at the time but Koeman came to Barcelona and made history.

It was the summer of 2003 and Barcelona were outsiders, with Joan Laporta just installed as the president. Four years with no titles. However, Sandro Rosell helped Ronaldinho choose Barcelona oner Manchester United, who had won six of the last eight Premier Leagues. The Brazilian changed Barcelona’s history too.

Today, Ferran Torres has followed Cruyff, Koeman and Ronaldinho’s footsteps. He was at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Pep Guardiola as coach, another Premier League on the way, but he too chose Barcelona. Despite their economic and sporting crisis. The easy thing would have been to stay put. I don’t know if Ferran Torres will contribute to changing Barcelona’s history, but he’s certainly of the type of player they need to help the club pick itself back up. Committed, hopeful and someone who believes in the club’s history and greatness of the badge. 

For that, Ferran Torres is more than a signing. He helps show, like Cruyff, Koeman, Ronaldinho and many others, that FC Barcelona, Barça, is indestructible. It doesn’t matter who is in charge of the club or the team, if they win or if they struggle. It will always be more than a club.