The Ballon d’Or award ceremony, held yesterday in Paris, was covered in the distinctive blaugrana colors… and represented by penyistes. The Kopa Trophy presented to the best young footballer of 2021 went to Pedri González, a fairly recent new player of FC Barcelona’s first team and also a member of the Peña Barcelonista de Tenerife (Canary Islands), located in the town of Tegueste. In fact, his family’s link to the supporters’ clubs world goes way back, since this supporters’ club was founded by Pedri’s grandfather, and his father, Fernando González, is currently its president as well as the vicepresident of the Canary Islands Supporters’ Clubs Federation.
The president of this Federation, Yamal Hawach, wanted to express how special this award is: “Pedri is a source of pride for all Barça supporters, but in particular for all the people of the Canary Islands. To have made it to the first team, to have completed such a spectacular debut season and now to receive this award is a great joy for all of us”. He also wanted to convey his congratulations to the player’s immediate family: “From the Federation, we want to congratulate all his family, and especially our vicepresident Fernando, who has always been deeply involved in the supporters’ clubs movement”.
Three times the joy
In addition to Pedri’s award, the supporters’ clubs movement enthusiastically celebrated Alexia Putellas, captain of FC Barcelona’s women’s team, who was awarded the Ballon d’Or for best woman player. All the supporters’ clubs from around the world, who fervently follow every game of the women’s team, congratulated the player and celebrated the culmination of a perfect season.
Lastly, the supporters’ clubs did not skimp on celebrations and praise for Leo Messi when he received his seventh Ballon d’Or. The supporters’ clubs hold the Argentinian, who earned this award largely as a result of his performance in his final season with FC Barcelona, in very high esteem
