Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's father died Saturday night. Flick remained with the team and directed Sunday's match, which Barcelona won 2-0.
12:08 PM
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's father died Saturday night, hours before the club's LaLiga title-deciding match against Real Madrid on Sunday, authorities said.
The cause of death was not disclosed. Barcelona announced the death in a statement on social media, expressing condolences to Flick and his family. "The FC Barcelona and the entire blaugrana family want to convey our affection to Hansi Flick for the death of his father. We share his pain and accompany you in this difficult moment for him and his family," the club said.
Despite the loss, Flick decided to remain with the team at their hotel concentration and direct the match from the bench. Real Madrid, Barcelona's opponent, also issued a statement of condolences. "Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Administration deeply regret the death of Hansi Flick's father, Barcelona FC coach. Real Madrid wishes to express its condolences and affection to the family and all his loved ones. May he rest in peace," the statement read.
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at Camp Nou on Sunday afternoon, securing the LaLiga title. Goals came in the ninth and eighteenth minutes. The victory clinched Barcelona's second league championship under Flick, adding to his previous domestic title, the Copa del Rey 2024-25, and the Spanish Super Cups of 2024-25 and 2025-26.
After the match, Flick spoke about the day's events. "Never will I forget this. It was a hard day for me, losing my father. My team is fantastic, I love them, it is like a family. They gave everything today and I am very proud of them and the fans. Winning in this stadium and against Real Madrid is very special," he said in an interview with Movistar+.
He added: "It was not easy. Everyone believed we could win today, but Real Madrid is a fantastic team. We scored the goals at the exact moment."
Barcelona midfielder Pedri dedicated the LaLiga title to Flick's father. "I would like to be tossing him in the air there. We wanted to do it for him, for the loss he has had today and for everything that," Pedri said, according to reports.
The match was significant for Barcelona's title hopes, as a win or draw would have secured the championship mathematically. The 2-0 victory accomplished that objective.
The Uruguayan-born defender won four European Cups with Real Madrid between 1957 and 1966 and later managed Spain's 1982 World Cup campaign.
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