Barcelona vs. Manchester United: Hidden Facts

Fateful Beginnings: Barcelona and Manchester United first clashed in 1984, but their rivalry dates back to a canceled friendly match in 1957 due to a tragic plane crash involving Manchester United, known as the Munich air disaster.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e8af1f3-8820-4e38-a223-9f0f746a85a4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3642766-504e-4277-8ac9-5844625b2486","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0226d29-51ad-48f1-adaf-3789c644ea2f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Camp Nou Roar: The Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, boasts one of the highest seating capacities globally, with over 99,000 seats

[{"selector":"#anim-6df54fb2-234c-4408-a668-a43961896908","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3d8baf5-7caa-4cc3-8fcf-823107cdcc2e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a2170e1-55bc-448f-bb0f-c9fa7c7e0691 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.249999886225726%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The "Championes, Championes" Chant: The iconic "Championes, Championes, Ole, Ole, Ole!" chant heard at Barcelona matches was adapted from a flamenco song by Los del Rio

[{"selector":"#anim-fce84389-7cad-4f9f-9bda-8f05e412db7a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-beb021ea-a0f9-4fe7-96b2-429f21d293a1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ae93f03-637c-442e-baeb-46f285441621 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(14.808274256690062%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Holy Trinity: Barcelona's legendary attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar, affectionately called "MSN," scored a record-breaking 122 goals in a single season (2014-2015)

[{"selector":"#anim-0a44de22-90e4-4854-9077-b51362cf1004","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-03a5f7f6-19b7-4688-b83f-cc59c831d538","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a9a701b-2c14-4664-a946-008cb86b68ae [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(15.312499726799537%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Busby Babes Inspiration: Barcelona's youth academy, La Masia, is renowned for producing top talents. Its inception was inspired by Manchester United's "Busby Babes,

[{"selector":"#anim-0730b6f0-daad-4e85-9aa4-23775e3f3714","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-edaf892b-8d22-47bd-98fc-20fc961959e7","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0d0e2f91-8b44-406c-bdaa-2d17dd33d82f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(36.26374996040826%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Penalty Curse: Manchester United and penalties have an intriguing relationship. From 2004 to 2012, Cristiano Ronaldo missed an astounding nine penalties for the club

[{"selector":"#anim-1050a0ad-9759-40d6-8c66-ff3322fb3567","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cce340cb-7b2f-4a2d-81d6-157f463c63c2","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8cddd53d-93e4-4cea-a120-d3ca7e7c6121 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(33.789634071811925%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The "Ole" Connection: The famous "Ole" chant is associated with both clubs. While Manchester United's originates from the 1960s, Barcelona fans adopted it during Johan Cruyff's reign.

[{"selector":"#anim-424ce7e9-d75b-4df9-b075-de31d1eb6f02","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64314060-9817-46f4-939d-717ec52d3ce9","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3819e82-e364-44d7-8eae-a518db6adf14 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(40.00000002294447%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Unraveling the Treble: In the 1998-1999 season, Manchester United secured an unprecedented treble, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League in a thrilling fashion

[{"selector":"#anim-b34b8a0f-d465-4f67-b154-a4910f66e5d0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b1b2255-abd2-40b9-88fd-252067a49896","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-66de6982-07d5-4ec6-9e72-d23f70b35698 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(38.74999997781402%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Barcelona's English Talisman: Gary Lineker, an English football legend, had a successful stint at Barcelona, where he won the Golden Boot in the 1986 FIFA World Cup and the 1989-1990 European Golden Shoe.

[{"selector":"#anim-b192b9fb-33b2-4073-ad26-f80d3a9106a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62e4742e-33a0-4c19-862d-cae395da6fb8","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b286b2d3-eee4-48aa-8701-a914298f3801 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(10.063804862077074%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Transfer Snub: Barcelona came close to signing Paul Scholes in 1998, but the English midfielder opted to remain loyal to Manchester United throughout his career.

[{"selector":"#anim-2fe82702-b0f3-4578-91c7-f485580ab37c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1679e027-763a-449f-9a82-6f04ef5de446","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4678510d-fa26-4ffc-9f09-44a7901074af [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.77524029517109%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Cantona Impact: Eric Cantona's transfer to Manchester United in 1992 proved pivotal, as he became an inspirational figure and helped the club win multiple league titles.

[{"selector":"#anim-5e7be1e0-c76f-4b00-a60b-35b75273ef9c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd06e16f-85ab-44b7-a7ef-c101c93751ec","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a6f24f2-7925-4e89-893d-7025bfb36784 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(29.3749999465261%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Battle of Manchester: In the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League semi-final, Manchester United's Paul Scholes scored a crucial long-range goal against Barcelona, dubbed as the "Battle of Manchester."

[{"selector":"#anim-6b06e43d-1aa1-4b05-a93c-3642904163d6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5007fb84-35b7-4b46-8220-8f8eda58d0c1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a73f4cb1-8456-4e39-a05d-fdd6cb656525 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.892577944206455%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Eto'o's Unique Record: Samuel Eto'o achieved a rare feat by winning consecutive trebles with different clubs, Manchester United in 2009 and Barcelona in 2010.

[{"selector":"#anim-24acb862-cd14-498d-9935-86bb31ab941a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4295964-39bb-4328-b18c-9c4478038aab","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39e770cb-e068-4580-81c6-bb9815f4d359 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(32.19921868017637%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Fergie's Near Miss: Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United's legendary manager, almost became Barcelona's coach in 1988, but the deal fell through, and he continued his illustrious career at Old Trafford.

[{"selector":"#anim-2bb767ca-74cb-462f-8ebe-5ba9a871ad51","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c53987f7-223b-4bcf-8f96-e63266a06a05","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18378d06-0203-4646-97fb-300c50d7600c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(42.99804692619754%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Cross-City Transfer: Jordi Cruyff, son of Johan Cruyff, played for both Barcelona and Manchester United during his career, cementing his unique place in the clubs' history.

[{"selector":"#anim-b3c2defe-26f9-41c8-8a2b-a6c36bc52cf2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46da5aac-f276-4132-95f9-a2714716bffb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-11e0b55a-ee0e-48e1-b521-0490f079b36e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(43.564668886232425%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Click Here: 7 unique facts about Mbappe that you might not know - The Mirror USA

[{"selector":"#anim-5e610fd1-383d-4597-ace3-14885383f47b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(10.65991107168507%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-04cad4ee-6c94-48cc-a410-ea37aef8a43c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2c90aa70-c9d9-4223-a672-3323c14eaacb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]