Barcelona made their long-awaited return to the Camp Nou this weekend with Hansi Flick's men playing their first competitive match at the stadium since the final day of the 2022/23 La Liga season.
The return to their footballing home has been one hampered by delays and red tape, and although the full Camp Nou renovation is still incomplete, they were able to welcome back more than 45,000 fans for their league clash with Athletic Club.
Barcelona enjoy themselves on Camp Nou return
There was plenty of pressure on the shoulders of the Barcelona players before kick-off, but they showed no nerves once the match kicked off.
Robert Lewandowski gave them an early lead in the fourth minute of the match, and the Catalans never looked back, scoring again just before half-time before adding two more after the break to win 4-0 against one of La Liga's strongest sides.
Lewandowski's goal was significant, as the Pole will now go down as the first player to ever score at the ‘new' Camp Nou. Speaking afterwards, he said:
“It’s a special day, we’re very happy and happy to play at the Camp Nou. We played very well from the start, two goals in each half. More important than the points is to have returned, playing here is something else.
“When we play at the Camp Nou, we are stronger. I had a good feeling from the beginning. I’m 37 years old, but for me it was also a special day.”
Spotify Camp Nou aerial view 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jen2Gg2xvO
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) November 22, 2025
Hansi Flick hails ‘unbelievable' day
Although Barcelona are still a long way off welcoming 105,000 fans back to the stadium, they are allowed to welcome up to 45,401 supporters for the time being after being granted a Phase 1B license earlier in the month.
Even the sight of a half-full stadium was enough to pull on Hansi Flick's heartstrings, though. After the match, he told reporters:
“For everyone, players, staff, coaches, it was a special game, also for the fans to be back here in this stadium was an unbelievable feeling.
“And we won three points. It was not easy, especially the first half against Athletic. But, in the end, everything goes in the right way. I am happy with the clean sheet, four goals and three points — it was the perfect day for us.”
FGG says: A fitting first goalscorer
Robert Lewandowski's time at Barcelona is expected to end in the summer, but he has done an excellent job for them since signing for the Spanish giants in 2022. Lewandowski only managed to sneak one full season at the ‘old' Camp Nou, but now he will be etched into the stadium's history forever.