How Barcelona Women built their popularity through trophies, Ballon d'Or stars and access | OneFootball

Barcelona Women have built a formidable following at home and abroad, their success and accessibility making them a reference point.

L'Équipe reports that 12 players, including Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, fronted a media day on Tuesday. It preceded the Champions League final against OL on Saturday at 18:00, shown on La Chaîne L'Équipe.

Before the Real Madrid quarter-finals, which ended 6-2 and 6-0, almost the whole squad spoke. Ahead of last Saturday's Copa de la Reina final, three did. Around 70 reporters attended the final media day.

The approach has paid off. On two April against Real Madrid, Pere Romeu's side set a Spotify Camp Nou attendance record across men's and women's teams, 60,067, despite prices of 25-90 euros before special rates. Hansi Flick's Barça later broke it twice.

Released on Friday, the documentary FC Barcelona: soñar, jugar, ganar (rêver, jouer, gagner) traces the push since 2015, when the club doubled down on women's football. Spending has paired with a reinforced style shared across the academy.

Jennifer Seefoo of The Change Congress says the ripple effects forced Real Madrid to launch a women's team and could extend beyond Spain, a starting point others may adopt. Female football licences hit 107,853 in 2023, now second only to basketball. Catalonia leads with 20,659, and over 10 years women's teams have grown 194%. Seefoo adds that Barça's players captivate crowds and, crucially, have helped women and girls feel able to play without judgement.

Source: L'Équipe