“Football is one of the mirrors through which Spanish political polarization can be better understood. Despite the best efforts of political parties based in Madrid to construct a narrative that separates sports and politics, the tension between the center (Madrid) and the periphery (especially the Basques and Catalans) remains a long-standing dynamic. This article takes the multidisciplinary analysis from FC Barcelona: History, Politics and Identity as a starting point, arguing that, on a national level, political polarization in Spain can be understood through the “Clásico” rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, while on a global scale, both football clubs have the same economic interests in promoting their brands. …”
Georgetown Journal of International Affairs (2025)

“SPANISH clubs liked the Inter-Cities Fairs’ Cup in the first decade of its existence. From the inaugural edition that ran from 1955-1958 to 1965-66, the rather attractive trophy landed in Spain six times. Only in 1961 (Roma) and 1965 (Ferencvaros) did a team from outside Spain win the Fairs Cup.  Valencia, after World War Two, were serious title contenders and in 1946-47, won the Spanish league, finishing above Athletic Bilbao. In the years following that success, they were permanent residents in the top three, but by the mid-1950s, Real Madrid had started to dominate Spanish – and European – football. Valencia were invited to participate in the 1961-62 Fairs Cup along with fellow Spanish sides Barcelona and Espanyol and then made the competition their own. …”
Game of the People