You’d be even less inclined to picture a vocal Catalan crowd chanting his name at the historic venue.
However, that is exactly what happened earlier this month as the ground, more known for the incredible football feats of legends such as Lionel Messi, Rivaldo and Andres Iniesta, traded bicycle kicks and Panenkas for scrums and conversions during a one off English Super League match between Bird’s Catalan Dragons and Wigan Warriors.
It was only the second time in the Camp Nou’s history that a professional rugby league match had been played on its sacred turf and it seemed to pique the curiosity of the city’s football loving fans with more than 30,000 turning up for the match.
The unusual pairing of Camp Nou and rugby league surprisingly makes more sense than you’d think.
The Dragons are based two hours north of Barcelona in the the French town of Perpignan and play in England’s Super League competition, representing the region of Catalonia.
After winning the Challenge Cup they were invited by FC Barcelona to be paraded along with their trophy in front of a packed crowd at the Camp Nou during the Catalan derby against Girona.
The incredible response inspired Blaugrana president Josep Bartomeu to bring a Dragons match back to the city.
Decked out in special one-off Barca-inspired kit for the occasion, the Dragons defeated Wigan 33-10 with fellow former NRL stars David Mead and Sam Kasiano both scoring tries.
Yet this wasn't the fist time the side had played in a hallowed football ground, having won the Challenge Cup at Wembley and playing at Anfield a week after their Barcelona match.
Bird, who tore his bicep during the game, explained he was spurred on by the history and standing of the famous football club.
“It was an incredible experience at a truly special stadium. I’m the first to admit that I’m not the biggest soccer fan but to be able play on the same ground as Messi and other Barcelona greats was quite a buzz,” he said.
“The Barcelona club as a whole was what really impressed me. Their history and the way they have been the world’s best in their sport for decades is something which stands out. It made wearing the club's colours for this game a bit of an inspiration for myself and the boys.
“All the little things they do really, both in their performance and preparation, as well as the facilities really stood out to me.
“It is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
The ex-Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans forward said the team was all business in the lead up to the match, but he did reveal there was a bit of a race among his teammates before and after the game to sit at Messi’s locker.
“All the European players in the team are completely soccer mad so for them this game was a bit of a dream come true,” Bird said.
“They were all taking photos around the change rooms after the match as well as getting pictures sitting in Messi’s spot. Our french captain Remi Casty claimed it as his own locker for the day.
“After the game I just tried to take in as much of the incredible atmosphere as I could because it was such a unique experience for me."
Barcelona’s fans are renowned for their passion, and even though they may not have been too familiar with the ins and outs of rugby league, they still managed to smash the record for largest crowd in Super League history.
Footballers are used to their fans singing and chanting for the whole match, yet it was something Bird admitted took him by surprise.
“In Australia fans tend to just cheer or boo when events happen in a game whereas since I’ve been playing in England and France it is so different,” Bird said.
“The crowd at the Barcelona stadium were singing from the opening whistle to the last kick of the game.
“As a player it is a different feeling when you’re on the pitch and something which I’ve grown to love.”
While the city of Barcelona’s true love will always be their football club and the mesmerising skills of Messi, their curiosity and support for all Catalonian sports teams could see them open their doors again to rugby league and the Dragons sooner rather than later.
Talks have already begun between FC Barcelona and Catalans Dragons of a possible partnership and future matches.
