Sporting usage
When did "Viva la Vida" became the anthem of Spanish football club FC Barcelona?
Viva la Vida
During the 2008/2009 season, the German football club Hamburger SV used "Viva la Vida" as their goal celebration song. The song also became the anthem of Spanish football club FC Barcelona during the 2008–09 season. It turned out to be a season of unprecedented success for the Spanish club in 2009, as they won all six competitions they could possible be involved in, which no football club has managed before in history. The song was selected by the manager of the club, Josep Guardiola – himself a Coldplay fan – to help motivate and encourage his team. It is often played at the Camp Nou before the start of a Barcelona match. The song was also played during Pep Guardiola's farewell before his final match coaching Barcelona at the Nou Camp, a 4–0 victory against Espanyol on 5 May 2012. The UEFA used "Viva la Vida" as the goal celebration song for the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final and Europa League Final. The National Hockey League's New York Rangers play "Viva la Vida" at Madison Square Garden after victories. The song was used by the Vancouver Canucks in a tribute video during Markus Näslund's number retirement ceremony held in Vancouver's Rogers Arena. It was also used in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup on Vancouver Ice. The Kansas City Chiefs play the song at the end of home games in Arrowhead Stadium. Additionally, it is also used by the Kansas City Royals to celebrate home runs and wins at Kauffman Stadium. This is the at-bat music of Scott Rolen, third baseman of the Cincinnati Reds. The song was also used pre match during every 2008 Rugby League World Cup game before the two teams took to the field.