The Bars of Aragon, part of the Catalonian flag will feature in the 2013-14 kit
Two days ago, a million and a half Catalonians demonstrated in Barcelona in an unmistakably fervent call for independence from Spain. The president of Barcelona, Sandro Rosell attended that demonstration with his family as a private citizen, not representing the club. And Pep Guardiola living it would appear in exile in New York sent a video in support of a Catalan nation with the message, “one more vote for independence.” The former Barca manager also recently attended a NY event celebrating the national day of Catalonia.
Next season, the club is unveiling its new away kit with the Bars of Aragon emblazoned on its jerseys in solidarity with the Catalonian people. Rosell when asked what Barca’s future would be if Catalonia indeed achieved independence was quick to add that they would not break ties with the Spanish league and would play El Clasico’s.
Which brings us to what exactly are Guardiola’s future aspirations? The conventional wisdom is that he’s biding his time and will return to the sport. But what if he believes he has a future in politics in the nascent Catalonian state? It’s not hard to see him garner widespread support. He is after all the lynchpin behind the homegrown project that nourishes Barcelona and continues to bring the club so much success.