14 May is a very special day in Barcelona’s history as the Catalans have continuously found success on it year after year.
From the illustrious Johan Cruyff and all the way to Luis Enrique clinching the LaLiga title on the wings of a red-hot Luis Suárez, the 14 May has been a kind date to Barcelona throughout their history.
Of course, the current outbreak has prevented the Catalans from celebrating any title wins on this day in 2020 but historically speaking, it is a day of joy, excitement and most importantly – of winning titles.
Starting from the days of yore when Barcelona clinched the Catalan championship back in 1905, the Pyrenees Cup in 1911 or even the Spanish championship in 1922, 14 May has always been exceptional.
But even in the more modern times, 14 May is a very special day in Barcelona’s history and today, we bring you some of the most memorable achievements to have happened on it throughout the years.
14 May 1994: Johan Cruyff’s last LaLiga title
With the league title on the line on the last matchday of the season in 1994, Cruyff’s Barcelona crushed Sevilla 5-2 at the Camp Nou and awaited the news of Deportivo’s game elsewhere.
But with their direct rivals for the title failing to secure the win on their own end, missing a crucial penalty in the dying moments of the game, Barcelona were crowned champions for the fourth consecutive time under the incredible Dutch coach.
14 May 1997: Bobby Robson and Ronaldo capture the Cup Winners’ Cup
Bobby Robson had the most difficult task of all when he was chosen to replace the legendary Cruyff on the hot seat but the Englishman did extremely well for himself, clinching the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1996/97.
That trophy, brought to the Catalans on the wings of Ronaldo El Fenomeno’s lone penalty strike against Paris Saint-Germain in the 37th minute, was one of Robson’s three titles that season, including the Copa del Rey crown conquered in the Santiago Bernabéu against Real Betis.
They don’t come much better than that…
14 May 2005: Frank Rijkaard clinches the LaLiga title
With 84 points on their tally, Frank Rijkaard’s Barcelona finally ended the five-year drought and captured the league title on 14 May 2005, courtesy of Samuel Eto’o’s strike against Levante that sealed the deal for the Catalans.
It was a start of Barcelona’s comeback onto the Spanish scene and Ronaldinho and Rijkaard leading the team towards glory once more.
14 May 2016: Luis Enrique and Luis Suárez seal the league crown
And finally, as Lucho’s Barcelona needed the final three points against Granada to clinch the title, Luis Suárez answered the call, bagging a hat-trick in a 4-0 victory that gave the Catalans the title and the Pichichi to El Pistolero.
Of course, Lucho would go on to win the Copa del Rey as well soon after that, beating Sevilla 2-0 in the process and clinching the club’s seventh double in the history.
