The Meaning of Football

Football is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it. But destiny was fortunate upon the Spanish; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Power was given to the footballers; great and mighty warriors. And eleven, eleven positions were gifted to FC Barcelona who, above all else, desired true football. 

Concerning the football club of Barcelona: Barcelona have been great footballers in the four farthings of the Catalan region for the many years of Guardiola’s reign. Earlier, they were known to be quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world of the Busy Folk – Madrid being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. Barcelona seemed of little importance to the heavily populated capital, previously being neither renowned as great warriors, nor counted among the very tall. In fact, it has been remarked by some that a Catalan’s only real passion is for football. A rather unfair observation - for where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet, and good tilled earth but I suppose it’s all the same. For all Catalans share a love of stadiums; The Camp Nou’s freshly grown grass in particular. And yes, no doubt, to others our ways seem quaint. But today of all days it is brought to me that it is no bad thing to celebrate a simple game. 

For the time had soon come that Barcelona would shape the meaning of football.

There was a glistening darkness above the Camp Nou stadium. It was a slight touch of destiny that a light drizzle had commenced as the crowd fell silent. It was a slight touch of chill that sent a shiver down my spine for the battle waiting to unfold. It was a slight touch of grace when the coin was flipped our way.

The Fellowship: Found in centre of FC Barcelona’s defense the fellowship of two contrasting souls crippled many an enemy’s hearts with fear. Carles Puyol – “Part footballer, Part Warrior,” playing with his heart on his sleeve and his hair in his eyes, a rough and rugged man from a small town and Gerard Pique – an elegant, technically gifted, cheeky boy from a prestigious background - are the original odd couple. Two men who shouldn't be friends but have turned out to be the best of brothers; so successful that of the four years they have played together they have only ever lost one game, and that was more than two years ago. Pique says “I remember when he came back from injury, I ran over to him in the middle of the game and said ‘Puyi, I’ve missed you so much.” He told me to shut the hell up and concentrate.” Through overwhelming heat and piercing cold the two defenders would stand bravely together; splashed with the red and blue of Catalonia; one reserved and the other relaxed in the centre of the toughest defense football has ever seen. To them football means friendship. To football their friendship means strength. Therefore, we glory in tribulation for with strength and bravery tribulations build experience.

The Two Towers: The strongholds of FC Barcelona are the two towers which keep them stable. For it is by Xavi and Iniesta that Barcelona’s immaculate architecture is designed. “So synonymous with each other are the midfield pairing of Xavi and Iniesta that it seems impossible that there was a time when one played without the other – rarely is one name mentioned without his midfield partner following in the same breath,” – Jamie Dunn. 


Both are produce from Barcelona’s carefully tended Youth Academy; La Masia, they are the world’s most lethal midfield pair. They walk side by side onto the pitch of the Camp Nou stadium, one assessing the opposition’s physical abilities while the other leeches away their innermost thoughts and emotions. It is when a football match is run through in fast forward that you see the intricate details of the passing and weaving which Xavi and Iniesta; sometimes in the background, but usually quite obvious, use to tear apart every team. 

They’re all about intelligence, agility and quick thinking. To keep the ball, nuture the ball, and use the ball to their advantage. Every pass that Xavi makes has a purpose behind it. Every pass brings Barca closer to a wildly exciting goal. Every pass counts. And every single defender Iniesta gets the ball past? They suffer such emotional trauma. Stricken with the fear of falling to their knees and weeping on the warm catalan earth wishing to surrender without a moments notice. To them football means fate. To football fate is the brilliance to control it. The experience built in FC Barcelona’s backline through tribulation is converted into patience through the power of the mind which both Xavi and Iniesta have been able to explore. And what is patience but the key to hope.

The Return of the King: He is the music to Barcelona’s Piano. He is the joy to Barcelona’s laughter. He is the King to Barcelona’s reign. It is his name that resonates in the hearts of those who desire the pure beauty of football. He is Lionel Andres Messi. The greatest footballer in history. Before a match Messi breathes in the cold, night air. Heaving in the familiar sight of the only stadium he has ever called home; the Camp Nou with its flashing lights and the soft drizzle destiny brought on ever special occasion. Messi’s growth hormone deficiency as a child worked out for the best for the humble hero who was made unstoppable at a very early age due to the package of his size and ability. Messi, like many of the footballers in the current FC Barcelona team came through the ranks of La Masia, Pique says "He's always been the way he is now - all that has changed is the context,” having grown into a footballer alongside little Leo. Unlike many footballers, Messi is a recipient of talents destined from birth.  A Messiah with God- given gifts.

He is unreal -- possessing moves and shots that are both extremely obvious to us but somehow irretrievable, indecipherable...like some undiscovered dimension that produces thoughts and objects similar to our own but somehow escapes understanding. It’s the way that the ball is as an extension of himself when he carries it along with his small form around dazzled defenders, who tower over him, and unaware goalkeepers, who do not even think to keep their heads down long enough to see the spark whizz in goal. After goal. After goal. With Messi Barcelona have everything to create the perfect football. A King who is loyal, humble and talented. Messi, much like Frodo, proves that physical size is no proportion on the strength one possesses in his heart. Sometimes the smallest things can cause your heart to sing the loudest. To Messi football is Faith. To football Faith is Beauty because “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

The Queen of England would sit in her private theatre to watch FC Barcelona with the Royal family, sipping a cup of tea and tweaking her satin gloves, texting King Juan Carlos I of Spain no doubt. The Pope would be watching them alone, on his i-Pad. Even children in Africa would trade their meager supplies of food to glimpse a few minutes of the action. The world holds hands- the rich, the poor, the small and the great- over football. It’s the way that the sunrise somehow gives you hope. The way that a new born baby stirs something in your soul. The way a melody of a symphony can inspire you. That is how Barcelona show us the meaning of football. I give you permission to gasp. For they had that effect on me too. They are FC Barcelona: more than a club. 

Inspired by: FC Barcelona - 'Més que un equip' als premis Laureus  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiSGlFlOXQQ