He wasn’t completely unknown last season, but the expectations were largely limited to those who follow Barca’s cantera and/or young players in particular. His profile has increased by an order of magnitude over the course of the last 12 months, and he seems to be having difficulty dealing with that. There was a similar aspect to the whole melodrama over his call up to Spain; it seemed as if the media build up over a couple of weeks just got to him; he’s much more himself when he can just go out and play.

* Genis may disagree, of course, though I’m not at all sure that he will. I’d be very interested to hear his view on this.

When one looks at his history (e.g., the intestinal issues/panic attacks when called up for Spain, the statements that he didn’t “feel ready” to play at the highest level, a tendancy to sometimes freeze on the pitch and the tears two weeks ago), it’s hard not to conclude that there is a real issue with his ability to deal with the kind of pressure/exposure he has faced over the last 18 months or so (and which I hope he will continue to face for the next 15 years or more).

Not everyone is Leo Messi (increasingly, it appears that NO ONE is Leo Messi) and it is perfectly understandable that someone who is can still be called a “kid” finds the spotlight to be a very challenging place to be.

He needs and deserves our support.

http://www.iberianature.com/material/bear_strawberry_tree_madrid.htm

http://www.ma-design.net/spain/escudo/escudo_en.php

One of the key points for English speakers is that it isn’t really a “strawberry tree”, but rather a tree with red fruit that are somewhat (but not really) similar to strawberries. And there is a dispute about the gender of the bear. The second link above addresses both of those points.

It goes without saying that I wouldn’t have the name I do if the bear was in Real Madrid’s crest.

To Andrew, from wikipedia, slightly edited: “[Madrid] city’s coat of arms … depicts a [she] bear standing against a Strawberry Tree (’madroño’)”. By the way: being myself a Catalan and a Catalanist, I kindly request that any further question about anything Madrid be asked to our merengue visitors…

To Isaiah: You’re right about the eight Catalan players.

FTWOEM

Ussually im the first to demand pedro start, but i dont know if i’d perfer to see Hleb-Henry-Messi start, and then when the legs of Valencia start giving out, throw Cpt Chaos in there to do what he does best. But if he does start i wouldnt mind.

As far as the back line goes, if i want anyone marking villa, i’d have to be Tarzan. Im sure at this point he know his game from spending time with him at the national team. Alvez-Puyol-Marquez-Caceres? please?

In the mid, i woudlnt mind seeing Xavi the creater, Yaya the destroyer, and their Apprentice (Busquets)

I just think it’s interesting that the “Spanish” club is seen as not having as many Spanish players as the “Catalan” club.

Perhaps it’s good to note that of the Spanish players on FCB, Valdes, Jorquera, Xavi, Puyol, Pique, Bojan, Busquets, and Victor Sanchez are Catalan. That’s 8 of the 11 Spanish players. [FYI Iniesta is from Albacete, Pinto is from Cadiz, and Pedro is from Tenerife]

I would like to go ahead and say that I’m not sure if my “Catalan” count is correct because Spanish geography and politics is not my strong suit. Please point out anything I got wrong there (looking at you, recently-reappeared Genis).