Barcelona is No Different

People admire Barcelona. They admire the team because they play lovely football. The logic is simple, if my team isn't playing, I might as well watch a team that plays exciting football. With a team filled with players like Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi, it's hard not to be enchanted by them when they're on form.

People often say the same about Arsenal. We are a neutrals favorite. We don't necessarily have players who are worthy of hate. We have one of the best managers in club football history. We always show up to play football with style. But, let's not confuse the two clubs, we are not the same.

Today, news filtered in that Barcelona and Inter Milan are on the verge of a mega swap featuring Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Samuel Eto'o. Alex Hleb would also go on loan to Inter for a year. If that wasn't enough, Barcelona will also pay Inter around 35 million pounds. To say it bluntly, that is a shocking deal.

First off, Eto'o is only a year older than Zlatan and a much better player. For some reason, Eto'o has never garnered major consideration for FIFA World Player of the Year, but simply put, he's been one of the best players in the world for some time now.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is football's equivalent of Tracy McGrady. All the talent in the world, but oftentimes exposed as a player with no major drive or heart. He's done very little on the international stage. He famously turned down Arsenal to join Ajax, something that I can't really fault him for I suppose.

So, for Barcelona to surrender Eto'o AND a princely sum of 35 million pounds is ludicrous. It makes the Cristiano Ronaldo deal look like a bargain. This news comes after Joan Laporta blasted Real Madrid for crazy sums spent during the transfer window. "We don't buy Ballon d'or winners, we make them." Sure Mr. Laporta. Let's forget completely that the reason why Messi is a Barcelona player is because they paid for his growth hormones and steroids.

If that isn't enough, they're also rumored to have put in a bid of 40 million euros for David Villa. And Mr. Laporta has openly talked about his admiration for Cesc Fabregas, practically welcoming the ire of Arsene Wenger.

Barcelona's status of currently being a world power football club would not have been possible without the contributions of Ronaldinho and Eto'o. When this transfer goes through, they will have effectively run both of them out of the club. A nice way to treat your star players, huh?

Make no mistake, I don't like Real Madrid. I don't like Inter Milan. But aside from Thierry (who I'll always have a soft spot for), I don't care much for Barcelona either. The difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona is style, Franco, and the color of their shirts.

I love Arsenal.