Carles Naval: The Barcelona Figure Fans See Every Match but Rarely Know by Name

Whether you support Barcelona or not, Carles Naval is a familiar face to anyone who regularly watches the club.

Many fans may not immediately know his name, but they know the man: the calm presence in the dugout, the official managing substitutions, coordinating player movements, and ensuring matchday procedures run smoothly.

For decades, Naval has been one of Barcelona’s quiet constants — a figure who has worked behind the scenes while generations of players, coaches, and presidents have come and gone.

A Lifetime of Service to Barcelona

Carles Naval’s connection with Barcelona dates back to 1972, when he joined the club as a teenager and began working in the youth setup. After years of involvement with the club’s formative teams and administrative structures, he became first-team delegate in the 1986–87 season.

Since then, he has occupied one of the most visible yet understated roles at the club. As Barcelona’s first-team delegate, Naval is responsible for key matchday duties, including coordinating with officials, handling team documentation, managing the relationship with football authorities, and ensuring the club meets all administrative requirements before, during, and after matches.

The Man Behind the Matchday Order

He has been in the club before any of the current squad members were even born.

The 2026/27 football season will be Naval’s 40th consecutive season as the first-team delegate and his 54th year with the club overall.