The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys fell silent on Tuesday evening as FC Barcelona paid a heartfelt tribute to their late first-team doctor, Carles Miñarro García, ahead of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against SL Benfica. The minute of silence, observed by players, staff, and thousands of fans, marked a poignant moment of remembrance for a man who had become an integral part of the club. before his sudden passing just days earlier.
Dr. Carles Miñarro, aged 53, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 8, 2025, while with the team at the Meliá de Pedralbes hotel, hours before a scheduled LaLiga match against CA Osasuna. The news sent shockwaves through the Barcelona community, leading to the postponement of the game and a wave of mourning across Spanish football. Miñarro, who had joined the first-team medical staff at the start of the 2024-25 season after years of service with the club’s futsal section, was widely respected for his professionalism and warmth.
The tribute came after FC Barcelona formally requested UEFA’s approval to honor Miñarro before the critical Champions League fixture, a request that was swiftly granted by the governing body. As the teams lined up on the pitch, the stadium’s atmosphere shifted from anticipation to solemnity, with players from both Barcelona and Benfica standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a unified show of respect. The silence was followed by a round of applause, as fans and players alike expressed their gratitude for Miñarro’s contributions.
Head coach Hansi Flick, speaking at a press conference on Monday, underscored the emotional weight of the moment. “Carles was a great person and an excellent doctor. He was a key part of our success, and we will miss him dearly,” Flick said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. “We want to win this match for him. It’s important that we channel this sadness into something positive.” The German coach, who limited media interactions to himself to spare his grieving players, emphasized the team’s resolve to honor Miñarro’s legacy with a victory.
Miñarro’s impact on the club was profound despite his relatively short tenure with the men’s first team. Having joined Barcelona in 2017 as part of the futsal medical staff, he earned the trust and affection of players and colleagues alike before stepping into his role with the senior football squad. His sudden loss left the team reeling, with captain Sergio Busquets reportedly among those most affected, though the club excused players from public statements to allow them time to process their grief.
The tribute extended beyond the pitch. Earlier on Tuesday, Miñarro’s funeral took place at the Sancho de Ávila funeral home in Barcelona, attended by club officials, players, and representatives from across the football world. Real Madrid’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, was among those present, symbolizing the solidarity shown by Barcelona’s fiercest rivals. Former club president Joan Gaspart and medical chief Dr. Ricard Pruna also paid their respects, highlighting Miñarro’s far-reaching influence.
On the field, Barcelona entered the match with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but Flick dismissed any notion of complacency. “Nothing is done,” he insisted, urging his team to approach the game with full commitment. For the players, the night carried an added layer of significance—a chance to dedicate a potential quarterfinal berth to their fallen colleague.
As the whistle blew to start the game, the emotional undercurrent was palpable. The blaugrana faithful, clad in their iconic red and blue, roared their support, their cheers a testament to both their passion for the club and their desire to see Miñarro’s memory honored. Across social media, posts from fans and football figures alike reflected the sentiment, with one X user noting, “Barcelona hold a silence before their Champions League clash in memory of first team doctor Carles Miñarro Garcia ❤️.”