I talked to several (more or less neutral) people before the semifinal second leg between Inter and Barcelona, and when I said I didn't want Barcelona in the final, everyone I talked to automatically assumed that it was because I'm a Madridista. But that doesn't even cover half of it. I personally don't believe in blind rivalry. I don't think that because I'm a Madridista, I have to automatically hate everything that's related to FC Barcelona. In fact, I actually like a couple of their players.
However, as so often, it's those who over-exaggerate the rivalry and think it gives them the right to treat Real Madrid, its fans, and everything it stands for in a manner that exceeds the (sportsmanlike) banter that is normal for rivals. Their only aim is to make us Madridistas feel as insulted and offended as possible, and to them this is even more important than sports-related achievements. I wouldn't be surprised if they considered a league title worthless if they didn't beat Real Madrid twice that season.
It's true that Barcelona is blessed in more than just one aspect, and I must admit that sometimes I envy them a bit for their fortune. They have many great home-grown players and talents. They have stars like Messi, who (luckily) is a lot better for his club than he is for his country. They won everything last season. But some fans and idiot players like Gerard Piqué don't realise that this doesn't mean you have to go and take everything for granted, and treat others with lack of respect just because you think you're meant to be above everyone else in the world. Newsflash: You're not above everyone else in this world. You have to work for success as hard as everyone else. And when you put childish rivalry-related goals before sports-related goals, you pay the price.
It's so easy to reduce Real Madrid to Florentino Pérez and his delusions of grandeur and say that we have no soul. But Real Madrid is so much more than him. And heck, even Florentino has always spoken of Barcelona with dignity. Unlike Barcelona (and Laporta), we aren't obsessed with our rivals, we focus on ourselves, are proud of our own achievements, and define ourselves by a lot more than a ridiculous rivalry.
... Okay, I didn't intend to write that much about it, but sometimes one just needs to vent.
Oh, and I just found an interview with Xabi Alonso which proves exactly what I mean about us focusing on ourselves. It's so evident how the interviewer wanted Xabi to say something anti-Barcelona but he didn't. That's what you call class.
Rivalries and banter, it's all fine to a degree. The biggest nuisance with most Barça fans is the way they shove their unwanted opinions in my face, and won't let go until I react offended/insulted. What do they expect? I'm not going to change my mind because of them, or kiss their bloody feet. It's that holier than thou behaviour that is becoming ridiculous and pathetic.
I don't watch Barcelona, same with United BTW, I ignore them. Unless they lose big time, hahaha, then I'll watch highlights.
They have stars like Messi, who (luckily) is a lot better for his club than he is for his country. Why do you say 'luckily'? I'd prefer him to excel with Argentina :)
Xabi's got class. I've come to really appreciate him.
Exactly, exactly. It's like they're on a mission to create converts, and I hate that.
I only watch Barcelona in the Champions League, and only when there's no other match on and I feel like watching some football. I have pretty little time to watch football anyway, so why watch Barça? ;) And United I watch only when they lose against Liverpool. XD
Luckily for the Barcelona fans, I meant. It could just as well have been the other way around, meaning Messi being awesome for Argentina and worse for his club. You can never predict these things, and the Barcelona fans are incredibly lucky in that aspect.
I talked to several (more or less neutral) people before the semifinal second leg between Inter and Barcelona, and when I said I didn't want Barcelona in the final, everyone I talked to automatically assumed that it was because I'm a Madridista. But that doesn't even cover half of it. I personally don't believe in blind rivalry. I don't think that because I'm a Madridista, I have to automatically hate everything that's related to FC Barcelona. In fact, I actually like a couple of their players.
However, as so often, it's those who over-exaggerate the rivalry and think it gives them the right to treat Real Madrid, its fans, and everything it stands for in a manner that exceeds the (sportsmanlike) banter that is normal for rivals. Their only aim is to make us Madridistas feel as insulted and offended as possible, and to them this is even more important than sports-related achievements. I wouldn't be surprised if they considered a league title worthless if they didn't beat Real Madrid twice that season.
It's true that Barcelona is blessed in more than just one aspect, and I must admit that sometimes I envy them a bit for their fortune. They have many great home-grown players and talents. They have stars like Messi, who (luckily) is a lot better for his club than he is for his country. They won everything last season. But some fans and idiot players like Gerard Piqué don't realise that this doesn't mean you have to go and take everything for granted, and treat others with lack of respect just because you think you're meant to be above everyone else in the world. Newsflash: You're not above everyone else in this world. You have to work for success as hard as everyone else. And when you put childish rivalry-related goals before sports-related goals, you pay the price.
It's so easy to reduce Real Madrid to Florentino Pérez and his delusions of grandeur and say that we have no soul. But Real Madrid is so much more than him. And heck, even Florentino has always spoken of Barcelona with dignity. Unlike Barcelona (and Laporta), we aren't obsessed with our rivals, we focus on ourselves, are proud of our own achievements, and define ourselves by a lot more than a ridiculous rivalry.
... Okay, I didn't intend to write that much about it, but sometimes one just needs to vent.
Oh, and I just found an interview with Xabi Alonso which proves exactly what I mean about us focusing on ourselves. It's so evident how the interviewer wanted Xabi to say something anti-Barcelona but he didn't. That's what you call class.
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I don't watch Barcelona, same with United BTW, I ignore them. Unless they lose big time, hahaha, then I'll watch highlights.
They have stars like Messi, who (luckily) is a lot better for his club than he is for his country.
Why do you say 'luckily'? I'd prefer him to excel with Argentina :)
Xabi's got class. I've come to really appreciate him.
Reply
I only watch Barcelona in the Champions League, and only when there's no other match on and I feel like watching some football. I have pretty little time to watch football anyway, so why watch Barça? ;) And United I watch only when they lose against Liverpool. XD
Luckily for the Barcelona fans, I meant. It could just as well have been the other way around, meaning Messi being awesome for Argentina and worse for his club. You can never predict these things, and the Barcelona fans are incredibly lucky in that aspect.
Xabi is awesome, full stop. :D
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