Cultured Football #01
Messi, Scams, East Germany, Carter, Tuchel
Swimming resolutely against the flow, there’s no hint of transfer rumours among this week’s Cultured Football reads. Stay safe, read more.
The deal that took Lionel Messi to Barcelona has to be the finest in the game’s history. And it was all written out on a napkin. Here’s how it came out.
You would think that in an era of everywhere being within touch on internet and people’s lives being played out online, it would be impossible for a player to scam four professional teams into signing him. But you’d be wrong.
Forty years ago, the world witnessed the re-unification of Germany, a long awaited and hoped for event. However it brought with it not only an end to decades of separation but also the Oberliga, Eastern Germany’s top flight. It was not a pretty sight.
Don’t know what the saddest aspect of this piece is; whether it is that the former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jimmy Carter didn’t feel comfortable sharing his Indian heritage when he was a player or that today there are only 10 British Asians among 4,000 professional footballers. When will matters improve?
Most of those who have worked with him agree that Thomas Tuchel is a fantastic coach. But they’d also concede that he’s a difficult person to work with. That might be something he works on as he takes a break from football following his Paris St. Germain dismissal. His next job will be crucial.
About Cultured Football
Every Friday, I send out our Cultured Football Newsletter which features links to five football articles I think that you should read. This newsletter is free but not cheap. Support us by spreading the word and share it with someone you feel might enjoy it.