The Beautiful Game - Live!

Over the course of my trip I have been lucky enough to see 5 live matches including seeing FC Barcelona 3 times, Manchester City twice and Real Madrid twice! I even got to watch El Clasico live! SO COOL.

I think some of my favorite things are the songs and the craziness of the crowds. There is one section devoted to the super fans and they have so much fun throughout the match. There is usually a leader who calls out the cheers and he usually spends majority of the match with his back to the pitch! Apparently his priority is directing his “choir” haha!

Some of my favorites include what appears to be wordless chanting to the tune of the theme song from Pippi Longstocking, I kid you not. It is so entertaining! That and at the English match when the opposing team section (who is blocked off separately – more on this later) left early the  whole stadium started singing “IS THERE A FIRE DRILL?” It was such an experience!!

As mentioned previously, the away team fan section is completely separate from the rest of the stadium. And when I say completely separate, I mean completely separate. They are sometimes put in what actually looks like a cage! In every instance they are put in a specific block and surrounded by neon security guards! They even have to stay seated until all the home team fans have left the stadium.

El Clasico was far and away the coolest match I got to witness – Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona at Camp Nou (FC Barcelona’s home stadium). Prior to the game I got to witness my first riot of sorts. It looked sort of controlled but there were definitely flares and chanting and loud bangs which I can only hope were more fireworks rather than gun shots. But oh the spirit! I love Europe and their enthusiasm for the beautiful game! In the US, even if the National Team were to win the World Cup I don’t think you would see such passion.

At several games I saw full grown men jump up and down and hug and kiss each other after a goal was scored. One fellow was so invested in the match that when the opposing team was awarded a PK he actually left the section. He couldn’t stand to witness an opposing goal. He literally was openly crying when Barca won.

In another instance I got to witness a man and his son have the absolute time of their lives. If it hadn’t been for their appearances it would be hard to distinguish adult from child just by their mannerisms. Both yelled and sang and cheered with unabashed passion.

I love the beautiful game and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. Women’s World Cup coming this summer. LET’S GO!