We want a Catalan sports team, of course, like the Scots, because it's logical and because everyone aspires to a bit of banal nationalism. But we don't want politicians from one side to ask for it, because they put a flock of sheep to sleep, and the victimist tone and false "we demand" are much hotter. Nor do we want those from the other side to talk about Spanish uninhibitedness, because there can be no Spanish uninhibitedness with Franco's heir, "Felipe VI" (such was the name he wore on the shirt with which he watched the semi-final, so sadly) on the throne. Uninhibitedness means the usual, whether we're talking about football, trains, or the Mediterranean diet. Some have to put in the effort and others receive the Michelin star. I would like the teams to be requested by the clubs, the players, the members of those clubs. Those who would sing Els segadors with fervor, because it has lyrics, unlike the Spanish anthem. And it doesn't have them for one reason: it "used to" have them. In Spain, everything comes from before.
In this regard, I liked, was comforted by, was excited by the gesture of Pau Cubarsí, with a senyera wrapped around his waist, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, after Barça had made Spain champions. He did it because the best defender in the competition can do whatever he wants. The Madrid newspapers say – where half of Barça will celebrate the victory in a parade – that he did it "without considering the criticism he may receive from a sector of the Spanish fans".
Criticism? The "Spanish fans" will do well to applaud if Cubarsí wraps himself in the Catalan flag and also if, for example, he asked – which he wouldn't, because he is of exquisite education (he has a family of charming gentleness) – that the fans put on dark glasses, pull down their trousers, and show them what an eclipse is. Just yesterday, it seemed to me that Cubarsí's teammates, as well as the fans, encouraged the gesture, so natural, friendly, grateful and, yes, this one, uninhibited.
