Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Spanish, German and English footballers led by Joan Gamper, the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalanism, hence the motto "Més que un club" ("More than a club").

Barcelona traditionally play in dark shades of blue and red stripes, leading to the nickname Blaugrana.

On 14 June 1925, in a spontaneous reaction against Primo de Rivera's dictatorship, the crowd in the stadium jeered the Royal March. As a reprisal, the ground was closed for six months and Gamper was forced to relinquish the presidency of the club.

There is often a fierce rivalry between the two strongest teams in a national league, and this is particularly the case in La Liga, where the game between Real Madrid and Barcelona is known as El Clásico ("The Classic"). From the start of national competitions, the clubs were seen as representatives of two rival regions in Spain, Catalonia and Castile, as well as of the two cities. The rivalry reflects what many regard as the political and cultural tensions felt between Catalans and the Castilians, seen by one author as a re-enactment of the Spanish Civil War.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi won a record six Ballon d'Or awards, a record six European Golden Shoes, and in 2020 was named to the Ballon d'Or Dream Team. Until leaving the club in 2021, he had spent his entire professional career with Barcelona.

Nicknamed El Arquitecto ("The Architect") Suárez was noted for his perceptive passing and explosive shot, and in 1960, he became the first Spanish-born player to win the Ballon d'Or.

Víctor Valdés went 896 minutes without conceding a goal in all competitions during the 2011-12 season (from the 22nd minute of the 5th game to the 20th minute of the 12th game). Six games of the Spanish League and three Champions League games were played during this period without conceding a goal.

By scoring 180 goals in 2015 in all competitions, Barcelona set the record for most goals scored in a calendar year, breaking Real Madrid's record of 178 goals scored in 2014.

Regarded as one of the best and most prolific attacking central defenders of all time due to his eye for goal, Ronald Koeman was renowned for his long-range passing, as well as his shooting accuracy and power from distance, especially on free kicks. When he played for Barcelona, he had the nickname Floquet de Neu ("Snowflake") after the famous albino gorilla of the same name in the Barcelona Zoo.

Club-founder Joan Gamper scored 9 goals in a single game ... on 3 separate occasions! He played 48 games for FC Barcelona between 1899 and 1903, scoring over 100 goals, averaging more than two goals per game.