During the first half's final minutes of the match between Barcelona and Celta at Spotify Camp Nou, a 56-year-old Barcelona fan collapsed due to an acute myocardial infarction resulting in cardiac and respiratory arrest. Barcelona's medical team, led by Manel Garcia, acted immediately and performed successful resuscitation on-site.
Thanks to the rapid response and coordinated emergency procedures, the fan's pulse was restored promptly. The supporter, a former club member until 2017, was swiftly transferred to Bellvitge Hospital accompanied by his son, who was deeply concerned about his father's condition.
This incident not only showcases the high professionalism of the club's medical team, overseen by Dr. Xavier Corbella since 2022, but also demonstrates the importance of having well-established emergency protocols during matches. The team had previously saved another fan's life during a UEFA Champions League game.
The match was temporarily paused to attend to the emergency and resumed afterward with added time. Fortunately, the quick actions prevented tragedy, saving the supporter’s life. For fans and the club alike, this event confirms Barcelona's priority in ensuring health safety and readiness to handle emergencies.