By Perry B. Zordyu
Spain – Toni Cruz, a renowned television producer and a key figure in FC Barcelona’s media efforts, passed away late Friday evening at the age of 78.
Cruz was the visionary behind Barça One, the Club’s audiovisual platform, and had been leading the Barça Studios project since 2023. His work played a central role in the platform’s official launch in April 2024.
Beyond his work in television production, Cruz was also a founding member of La Trinca, a celebrated Catalan music trio known for blending humor with sharp political and social satire. Alongside Josep Maria Mainat and Miquel Àngel Pasqual, the group became a cultural phenomenon in Catalonia, performing in packed public spaces and later transitioning to television, where they created entertainment programs that became deeply embedded in the public memory.
La Trinca were famously passionate FC Barcelona supporters. Their musical tributes to the Club include:
- “Botifarra de pagès” (Farmer’s Sausage) in 1974, celebrating the league title won under Johan Cruyff,
- “Visca tot el diccionari” (Long Live the Dictionary) in 1985, marking the league win with Terry Venables as coach,
- “Les alegries del culé” (The Joys of the Barça Fan), also in 1985,
- And in May 2023, a special version of “Cant dels Adeus” (Goodbye Song), performed by singer Beth, which served as the musical farewell at the final game at Spotify Camp Nou before the stadium’s renovation.
Toni Cruz’s contributions to Catalan culture and FC Barcelona’s media legacy will be long remembered.
Meanwhile, FC Barcelona continue contract negotiations with midfielder Frenkie de Jong, with both parties eager to finalize a new deal as soon as possible.
