Simon Kuper on His New Book "The Barcelona Complex"

Fútbol with Grant Wahl

Grant Wahl

Sports, Soccer

4.8 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 19 August 2021

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Grant has a fascinating interview with the renowned author Simon Kuper about his new book The Barcelona Complex: Lionel Messi and the Making—and Unmaking—of the World's Greatest Soccer Club. The timing of the book release is impeccable, and Kuper explains the forces that have resulted in FC Barcelona getting more than $1 billion in debt and being forced to announce that Lionel Messi would be leaving the club. He also forecasts where Barça goes from here and explains how he received remarkable access to so many people at the club for his book. Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqIhXWUw0H4 Get full access to Fútbol with Grant Wahl at grantwahl.substack.com/subscribe

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey there, welcome to Food Ball with Grant Wall.
0:09.6	Thanks so much for joining me.
0:11.3	Today's interview guest is Simon Cooper, the author of the new book, The Barcelona Complex,
0:17.4	Lionel Messi in the Making and Unmaking of the World's Greatest Soccer Club.
0:22.9	We've had some great guests lately, including Leander Scharlockens, Chris Russell, and
0:27.5	Celine Gounder and Robbie Sica.
0:29.8	So check those out.
0:31.1	Now here's my interview with Simon Cooper.
0:35.7	Our guest now is one of my favorite writers of all time.
0:39.7	Simon Cooper is a columnist for the Financial Times, and he's written some classic books,
0:44.9	including Football Against the Enemy and Soccer Namiks with Stefan Schemanski.
0:50.7	His new book is absolutely terrific.
0:53.0	I've read it.
0:54.0	It's called The Barcelona Complex, Lionel Messi and the Making and Unmaking of the World's
0:59.7	Greatest Soccer Club.
1:01.9	Simon, congratulations on the book.
1:03.9	Thanks so much for joining me.
1:04.9	Thank you.
1:05.9	Lovely to be here.
1:06.9	So lots to talk about here.
1:07.9	First off, congrats on the amazing timing of your book, which comes out right as Lionel
1:13.1	Messi is leaving Barcelona after spending his entire career there.
	...

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