Barca beginnings, a.k.a. “When did you first fall in love?”

By: Kevin | October 9th, 2008

(Edit for my bad basic French, and to keep Pep happy.)

As promised, here it is, the “When did you first discover Barca” post.

I’ll be brief, contrary to my usual long-windedness. The dude you see in the picture was, for me, critical in my figuring it all out. There wasn’t much footy on TV in the States at that time. We got the odd Premiership game, but that was pretty much it.

I, like a great many Americans, had gotten a taste of joga bonito via the run in to the 1994 World Cup, which was to be in the United States. Suddenly footy was everywhere, but I really had no idea that club football could be so spectacular until I came upon a 5-minute highlight reel of the so-called “Dream Team,” via Telemundo. I had no idea what the announcers were bellowing about, but I did hear “Rrrrrrromarrrrio!” It just didn’t look like the stodgy World Cup footy. Yow!

I remember seeing Romario do something crazy with the ball and thinking, “Who says soccer is boring?” Little did I know. I wasn’t completely hooked, because it was difficult to get a regular diet of Barca football back then, and the Chicago Bulls had Chicago by the throat. But I paid attention, because football such as that was just sick. Still don’t know how they flopped against AC Milan in the Champions League final, but that’s another story.

In many ways I was the same kind of bandwagon-hopper that some disdainfully accuse newcomers of being. That is, you get seduced by excellence, glory and beauty and somehow, the club gets in your heart. But it was during the 90s glory period rather than the ‘05-’06 period, when a lot of people came to the club. I imagine it’s more difficult to come to a club when they’re sucking out the planet, because your love is harder-earned. (I imagine Premiership Side Hull City is seeing a sudden run on shirts this year. Newly promoted and 3rd place?)

I didn’t become a soci until 2000 and now, for me, there’s no looking back.

So let’s hear it, everyone. How did it happen for you? What year did it begin, favorite player if you had one, and so forth. This one should be fun, everyone.

And a request: Yes, there is club business going on. Posts will follow that deal with that, but I’d like to keep this post as a sticky, so to speak, about great beginnings for all of us. So let’s please keep to the topic at hand, and we’ll provide a place for that other stuff. Thanks, everyone.