Players, staff, and rival teams bid farewell to FC Barcelona's late doctor

It was only a few minutes before the game between FC Barcelona and CA Osasuna was scheduled to start on Saturday night at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium. 

Around 15 minutes before the first whistle, the Catalan team announced "the awful news of the death of the team's doctor, Carles Miñarro Garcia." The statement added that the game would be postponed to a new day, with the managing board and all team workers showing their condolences to family and friends.

"He was a very loved man," FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta told Barça One, the team's TV. On Saturday night, he said that the "unexpected news" affected all team members who were getting ready for the game.

"There was a strong feeling of sadness in the changing room, as he was loved by everyone and used to take care of all of us," Laporta said.

A message shared by many of the team's players, such as Dani Olmo who said that "it is difficult to believe and understand what has happened… Carles, thank you so much for all your help, not only this last year, but throughout my career," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"You will be truly missed, and you will be always remembered in our hearts," he added in a message featuring a photo.

The team's captain, Marc ter Stegen, said, "I do not have enough words… We will deeply miss you."

Miñarro passed away on Saturday afternoon at the concentration hotel room in Barcelona after a long professional career in many teams across Catalonia.

"What a sad day, we will miss you, doc," FC Barcelona futsal team wrote on social media. Sabadell sports team also had similar words to the doctor of the team during the 2014/2015 season.

Before joining FC Barcelona, Miñarro worked at the Unió Esportiva Sant Andreu between 2012 and 2014. The team posted on social media, "Rest in peace."

Aside from former Miñarro teams, many FC Barcelona rivals also had a message of "condolences," such as Real Madrid, who "deeply regret the death" of Barça's doctor.

C. A. Osasuna sent a "huge hug during these difficult times to all FC Barcelona staff and its supporters " and a message of strength to the doctor's family.

Catalan president Salvador Illa also shared his support to the team's staff.