“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)