Author Simon Kuper discusses his new book, The Barcelona Complex: Lionel Messi and the Making - and Unmaking - of the World's Greatest Soccer Club

Journalist and author Simon Kuper joins the show to discuss his out-standing new book, The Barcelona Complex: Lionel Messi and the Making - and Unmaking - of the World's Greatest Soccer Club. The book itself functions as a semi-biography of Cruyff, Messi, and the club as a whole, but also provides fascinating insight into the present lives of modern superstars. What do they eat when they hang out together, how much more cautious are they in the age of cell phones and how life at La Masia prepares athletes for both The Camp Nou and also Spartan military society. Sorta. Plus, the strange way Johan Cruyff greets people on the telephone, how Barcelona's steadfast plans for signing Ousmane Dembele were thrown out the window in the first 5 seconds of their meeting, and much much more! Sponsors! Today's show is brought to you by... The NBA! This episode is sponsored by the NBA and their quest to advance the game of basketball, grow the community, and impact culture. That’s the NBA. That’s Game! American Giant! Get 15% off your new favorite tees at american-giant.com/TSS! Brooklinen! Looking for some wonderful new bedding? Head to Brooklinen.com and use promo code TSS to get $20 off a purchase of $100 or more.  Heineken! With a busy start to the European soccer season underway, stay refreshed with the crisp taste of Heineken! Artifact! Go to HeyArtifact.com to get started! To check out the excerpt we mentioned on this episode, go to HeyArtifact.com/loveletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices