Boca, Barca and the birthplace of Lionel Messi: Ranking the best places I've watched futsal

A whole sporting sub-culture existing outside of mainstream consciousness. And it's ours.

My first time watching futsal at the elite level.

Surrounded by a moat, the Zalgirio Arena played host to the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup and across two days I watched Russia, Thailand, Costa Rica and the hosts, Lithuania, do battle inside this enormous arena.

Hotdogs, beers in the stands and merchandise on sale. Proper stuff.

The Lithuanian home fans came out in force on the second day and it was the first time I saw the true potential of futsal as a spectator sport.

I still think about Russia's Brazilian, Robinho, isolating himself on one side of the court and dominating those 1v1 battles, and Costa Rica's keeper celebrating every save like his life depended on it.

Whoever decided to stick the 2026 UEFA Futsal Champions League Finals in a small, coastal town of northern Italy is a genius.

Pesaro was taken over by futsal for three days, with Sporting, Palma, Jimbee Cartagena and Etoile Lavalloise representing the very best of the European game.

The black court with orange detailing provided that elite feel, and with more than 5,000 people in attendance for Sunday's final, this modern, sprawling spaceship of an arena was the perfect setting.

Sporting's ultras went nuts, setting off flares, inviting the attentions of the riot police and eventually celebrating a European title with their side.

Pesaro will always hold a special place in my heart.

If there was ever a way to experience futsal outside of Europe for the very first time, the home of Newell's Old Boys was a pretty safe bet.

Coined 'The Temple' by locals, the Estadio Cubierto Claudio Newell sits on the same grounds as the 50,000 seater football stadium, and it's a proper throwback.

A harsh, concrete interior with high ceilings and no modern technology.

This place was built for one purpose and one purpose only, futsal.

My second game there was the visit of Boca Juniors and with almost 1,000 fans all packed on the same side of the arena, the noise was as loud as I have experienced.

The players fed off the crowd and the intensity of the game was like nothing I have ever witnessed.

Watching FC Barcelona play futsal was never going to disappoint, was it?

Barca vs Valdepenas. 2022 Copa Del Rey semi-final.

3,000 in attendance. 600 of those the Blaugrana ultras, hanging off the courtside nets and creating a deafening, unwavering sound.

There were two older gents in front of us. Best mates who'd been coming together since they were teenagers. Kitted out in the sort of Barca gear you only obtain through a lifetime of support.

When a half-injured Ferrao came onto the court, the decibels somehow doubled and, within 60 seconds, the Brazilian had trapped the ball stone dead, pinned and rolled his man and rifled a toe poke into the top corner.

Scenes.

Bury me here.

When I am old and grey and want to watch one final game of futsal, bring me to La Boca and leave me at the Polideportivo Quinquela.

A two-tiered, net-lined gymnasium that transforms into a single, pulsating organism when Boca Juniors' futsal team steps out of the changing rooms.

Drums, trumpets, flags. Anything that makes noise or is blue and yellow.

That entry is only granted to Boca Club members and players' families made it even sweeter to have watched them here twice.

I spent much of that second visit, for the AFA Primera Division play-off semi-final, sharing mate with the family of Facundo Russo, the Boca fix.

Situated literally 50 metres from the world-renowned 'La Bombonera', the Quinquela harnesses every drop of energy from the football culture and concentrates it into a futsal experience that is more intense, more intimate and dangerously addictive.

It's not so much about the futsal here, as it is about community. About being part of something bigger than the individual.