Barca to my rescue: Why I Love FC Barcelona?

Barca to my rescue! 

Why I Love FC Barcelona?

I have a huge, personal and emotional connect with this Club - FC Barcelona. 

( This is going to be a long read. Sorry, but thank you for your time)

I was introduced to the world of sports by my late Dad, as a teenager, during my school days . He would patiently sit with me and describe each sport to me as we viewed it on TV. He would also tell me about the greats of the game - both old and current. As a result I ended up being a sport enthusiast watching almost all kinds of sports.

My dad being a football player, himself, during his younger days always showed special interest in the game. That's how I became addicted to the beautiful game. Starting from World Cups, my interest slowly started diversifying into club football which was much more exciting. Liverpool was the club that caught my attention most, as a youngster. Then there were the Italian giants - Juventus with black and white striped jerseys - it was my favourite club jersey and it featured my favourite player then - Michel Platini.

Later Milan which featured the awesome Dutch trio - Ruud Gulit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten became another favourite. During my childhood days, unlike today, the Doordarshan (the only TV channel option then in India) telecast only important matches of select leagues, instead of all the matches. So I was mostly reading about them in the newspaper and sport magazines.

With the advent of private channels later, I had a wider choice with the various European leagues being telecast live. By then I started working and sports took a backseat as I was too tired or busy during weekends to watch these games. It became an occasional watch with no particular team being a favourite of mine, with the exception of Real Madrid in their white and gold jerseys as it featured Zidane - my favourite player then.The biggest dampener was that Dad was also mostly out of station, busy with his work and whose entertaining company I missed while watching these matches.

Then one day - out of the blue- Dad left this world forever. It was a huge shock and I was plunged into depression and nothing seemed to make me happy. I put on a brave face and never showed my sorrow to anyone. Life continued but there was a void. I started concentrating on things that made me happy - reading, music, cricket, tennis. Watching football was very difficult for me, as it brought memories of watching it with dad and I sorely missed his banter. 

A few years later, after a long time, I watched the Euro 2008, which the Spanish team won beating the strong Germany. The two players who caught my attention were the immensely talented and skillful Iniesta and Xavi. They were the fulcrum of the entire team and they orchestrated everything. I became an instant fan, but forgot about them once the tournament got over.

Later, one weekend I was flicking aimlessly through channels and found that almost all the leagues were live on various sports channels during the weekends. Then I saw two familiar figures - Iniesta and Xavi -  making some amazing passes. They were in blue and red stripped jerseys (a not so favorite combination for me then). It also featured a bright eyed, cute faced player called Messi who was like a little humming bird flitting around and doing unbelievable things with the football. I found that the club was FC Barcelona. (The only other memory I had of Barcelona was in 1992 when the city hosted the summer Olympics which featured the most spectacular lighting of the Olympic flame.)

I started watching their matches regularly. It soon became a ritual. I never missed a single live game of FC Barcelona. Barca became more than just a club for me. At the same time I also started reading about FC Barcelona and found a unexpected connection. I am a fan of many footballing legends like Pele, Beckenbauer, Platini, Linekar, Lothar Matthaus, Gulit, Van Basten, Klinsmaan, Baggio, Rio Ferdinand, Zidane, Maldini, Ronaldinho etc.

But there was one player who had a special place in my heart for being a wonderful role model and an immensely creative player. I always rated him above the rest and he was someone I respected more than anyone - Johan Cryuff. I learnt that this was his club and he brought in an unique philosophy and a beautiful style of play into this club which still lives on. Now I loved FC Barcelona even more.

Every week my date with 10 men in Blue and Red stripes and One in a bright outfit, was fixed.  The 3 little magical  guys of FC Barcelona became my gateway to happiness. Soon I became an adoring fan of the entire team because of what they represented and how they went about their game. I admired their coach (and ex player) Pep Guardiola who brought out the best from the team with his awesome tactics and game plans. Each player was special and remarkable in their own way.

Puyol - the leader and the Tarzan who defended with all his might.

Pique - the handsome, towering guy who protected his territory like a lion and who loved to attack.

Abidal - the solid, lovable wall at the back.

Victor Valdes - the ever alert goallie.

Dani Alves - the dancing Right Back.

Busquets - the fragile looking yet formidable holding midfield genius.

Mascherano - the little chief  who was usually the last man standing and who defended like hell.

Then there was the Incredible trio of a lifetime - Messi, Iniesta and Xavi - the magical Barca MIX -  who became my most favourite players (and they will be forever).

It was a joy to watch the team. I would laugh with them, cry with them and celebrate with them.Whenever Barce lost, all hell broke loose. I got so angry and depressed.that unless I saw them back to their winning ways, the depressive mood continued. These guys became a part of my life and the little love story continues even today.

Youngsters like Sergi Roberto, Denis Suarez, Rafinha and newcomers like Umtiti, Coutinho, Dembele are keeping the tradition intact and the future looks bright for this club.

I am so proud to be a fan of something which is more than a club, not just for me, but for millions around the world.

I love Barcelona because:

Barcelona is an emotion that's indescribable.

Barcelona is enjoying and loving what you do.

Barcelona is true team spirit and determination.

Barcelona is sharing both success and failure.

Barcelona is where the present generation grooms the future.

Barcelona is Magic. (They work so hard and are so good together that it feels like magic)

Barcelona is True Joy.

Barcelona is my favorite Blue and Garnet (Red).

Barcelona is One for All and All for One.

Finally FC Barcelona is a shining example of what my most favourite sportsperson - Johan Cryuff - exemplified during his playing and coaching days - “To play football in the most beautiful way, without losing the true spirit of the game.”

My late Father would have loved this club and he would have truly appreciated the game plans, tactics, the wonderful skills of it's players, the geniuses of Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and the lovely camaraderie. I miss my Dad immensely whenever I watch football. It would have been much more fun if he had been around today.

I am forever indebted to my dearest FC Barcelona for coming to my rescue in the most difficult of times. Barca brought the beautiful game back into my life. Thank you Barca for walking into my living room every week and giving me so many reasons to smile. You are the best and my heart will always beat for you.

Forca Barca!

Cheers!

A happy Barcelona Fan from Faraway

Image Credits - Google Images & FC Barcelona