FCBARCELONA.CAT

13.05.2009 23:52

The 25th: The King of Cups

Jordi Clos/Roger Bogunyà

The cup title won against Athletic Club in Mestalla makes Barça more the King of Cups than ever. They now have 25. The side immediately behind them in the ranking is the Basques themselves, with 23.

In Mestalla, it was not just the Copa del Rey 2009 that was at stake, Barça and Athletic Club were also disputing the all-time honours in the competition. Barça had won it 24 times, and the red and whites one less, 23. The 4-1 win in Valencia has widened the gap between the two teams with the best historic record in the competition.

Back on the throne

Although they are the club with the most trophies, Barça had not won it since 1997/98. That was also at Mestalla, when under Louis van Gaal they overcame Mallorca on penalties after the final had ended 1-1. It was that win that meant Barça overtook Bilbao in the all-time rankings for the very first time.

From 1910 to 1998, 24 titles

Before winning in Mestalla, FC Barcelona had lifted the cup on 23 previous occasions, in 1910, 1912, 1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1942, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1957, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990 and 1997.

The 24 titles, won over 88 years, have come at a rate of once every 3.5 seasons. The last 11 years, from 1998 to 2009, marked Barça’s longest title drought in the competition since 1928 to 1942, although that period did also include three years in which the tournament was not played.

Four out of five at Mestalla

There can be no arguing that Mestalla is a lucky venue for Barça. Of the five finals they have played there, the Catalans have been victorious in five. The wins in Valencia’s stadium came in 1926, 1990, 1998 and, of course, this year, 2009.