Barça: ¿copa liga y Champions?

There are millions of supporters of F.C.B. a.k.a. Barca football team all around the world. But what's it like living here on their doorstep? Incredible! Fanatical! This is their religion.

Even if you aren't a football fan, you will get drawn into football mania here. It's everwhere-merchandise, Barca TV channel, newspapers and magazines full of it, and most importantly the people in the street can't stop talking about it.

Already there is such a strong Catalan nationalistic feeling here in general and what better way of promoting a sense of national pride than through their football team. And yes, they seem to be able to overlook the fact that their hero Messi, is in fact Argentinian! It transcends generations here and brings everything to a standstill for 90 minutes a week: from old people who potter around their villages during the day, working in their vegetables gardens, to excitable children rushing around in anticipation of matches, young people who are at university and adults from their daily grind.

There is no escape. So as I've learnt, if you can beat them, join them. Visca Barca!
And when in doubt for conversation starters..."Has visto el futbol?"