My first appearance (wearing the Adidas boots) as a futbolista in Spain in the Barcelona Independent Football League. Despite a preference to play in the midfield, I started the match playing left back for the Black Sheep (Oveja Negra). My team was brilliantly diverse, in terms of age and nationality, and even language. There was a bit of a British influence and our coach was actually from the south of England despite most of the players being Catalan. We lost this match, but it was only an amistoso (friendly). So much talent, can’t wait for the next match.

Spotted some FC Barcelona pasta at an Italian store near Passeig de Gracia.

Though we ended Sunday with beautiful Tiki-taka football at the Camp Nou with 90,000+ of the screaming Catalan faithful, we started it with two local sides in our Eixample district going toe to toe at the park near Recinte Escola Industrial. The match had no age restrictions, which was interesting because one of the sides had a few 16 year olds (or so they seemed), while the rest of the futbolistas were well into their late 20s or even 30s. Also, there were these two old men constantly critiquing every move. I think there were loads of condescending “debería haber pasado el balón!” (He should have passed the ball!) It was glorious.