Carl Hughes, a passionate FC Barcelona fan from Wales, has added two exclusive pieces of jewellery from the Etern Spotify Camp Nou collection to his Barça memorabilia. In this conversation, he shares his deep connection to the club, the emotional value behind Brilianto’s diamonds, and how wearing a piece crafted from the pitch itself brings him closer to the history and spirit of FC Barcelona.
Love for football
Carl, have you always loved football? Where did that passion start for you?
I used to play a lot of football when I was a child, and I grew to absolutely love the game. I ended up playing for two football teams: my high school team and my local town team, Colwyn Bay. I also had trials for the county.
Barça fan since the Terry Venables era
When did you become a fan of FC Barcelona? What made you choose this club, being from Wales?
I became a fan of FC Barcelona in the early 1980s, when Terry Venables was appointed manager of the club.
I chose to support Barça because I loved its history and the way it brought in tremendous players. I really liked that. I also felt it was a very special club because of the dedication shown by everyone connected to it.
Is there any team in Wales you support or feel connected to? Or has it always been all about Barça?
I don’t really follow local football. For me, it’s all about following what I feel is the best football, and that’s why I follow FC Barcelona. I totally admire the club for all the effort that goes into everything connected to it.
Discovering the Barça diamond collections
How did you get to know about the FC Barcelona diamond collections?
I first heard about the diamonds on the FC Barcelona website. The one that really caught my eye was the club crest pin badge with the diamond in the centre.
Jewellery from the Etern Spotify Camp Nou collection
You’ve purchased two pieces from the Etern Spotify Camp Nou collection, right?
Yes, I purchased one at the Olympic Stadium’s VIP Lounge and another at the official store on La Rambla in Barcelona.
Can you tell us what those moments were like?
Both purchases were truly special moments, and ones I’ll never forget. I bought each piece at a different event to make each memory unique.
The FC Barcelona club crest diamond [Etern Spotify Camp Nou Insignia Escudo, 0.10-carat] was purchased at the VIP Estrella Damm Lounge when I attended the Champions League match between Barça and Bayern Munich.
The Spotify Camp Nou stadium diamond [Etern Spotify Camp Nou insignia 1957, 0.10-carat] was purchased at the official Barça store on La Rambla, just before the match against Borussia Dortmund. That diamond was presented to me by the store manager.
The diamonds featured in these pieces have been meticulously crafted using grass from the iconic Etern Spotify Camp Nou stadium. What does it mean to you to wear something so symbolic?
The fact that the diamonds have been created from the grass at Camp Nou is such a beautiful idea. It’s an absolute joy to feel part of the club’s history.
It’s a wonderful concept, and the fact that each piece is a limited edition makes it even more special.
An unforgettable evening before El Clásico
You met the Brilianto team at a VIP event the night before the Barcelona–Madrid match last May. What was that experience like?
It was a really special experience. I had been invited to the Spotify Camp Nou store the night before El Clásico as part of a private event. The club made me feel genuinely valued and respected, which meant a lot.
That evening, I also met Mery and Alex from the Brilianto team, and meeting them made the experience even more memorable. I already had both diamonds at that point —the club crest version and the Camp Nou stadium version— but that night I also got to see the new 125th Anniversary Collection up close, which was really exciting.
What stood out to you about the collection?
What really drew my attention was the FC Barcelona club crest pin badge with the diamond in the centre. I also loved the fact that the diamond was created using carbon from the Spotify Camp Nou pitch, and that connection to the stadium gives it real meaning.
From Messi’s shirt to Spotify Camp Nou diamonds
Do you own any other Barça products? What else is part of your collection?
Yes, I have a huge FC Barcelona merchandise collection, ranging from signed Lionel Messi shirts to signed boots. But I would say that the pieces from Brilianto are by far the nicest items in my collection.
Why Brilianto’s diamonds are different
What makes Brilianto’s pieces stand out for you compared to other fan items?
Each piece is an exclusive, limited edition. They’re beautifully presented, and receiving one is truly a special moment.
Jewels that tell a story
What would you say to another fan about why this kind of jewellery matters?
I’d say it’s because this jewellery carries real meaning. It’s not just about how it looks. It’s about the connection to the club. You’re holding something created from Camp Nou itself, and that makes it truly unique.
What would you ask Brilianto to create, if anything were possible? It could be inspired by FC Barcelona or any other sports club in the world.
If I could ask Brilianto to create another special piece of merchandise, I’d love to see an FC Barcelona ring or a diamond bracelet. Something that keeps the essence of the club close at all times.