Cesc Fabregas Calls for Peace Between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid

According to an article published in SoccerNews.com, Cesc Fabregas has called on FC Barcelona and Real Madrid to make peace. The reason is that Fabregas fears that the intense and heated rivalry could hurt Spain in the Euro 2012 Championships.

Fabregas stated that he understands that both teams want to win their championships. Fabregas has also recognized that the rivalry has become personal within the last year.

I would like to express my agreement with Fabregas in the need for the giants of La Liga (Spanish League) to tone down the rivalry. I also recognize that FC Barcelona and Real Madrid (like any sporting organization) would love to win matches.

The events within the last year between the two teams in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League have been tense. The problems between the two teams have reached the point where FC Barcelona threatened to break all ties with Real Madrid.

Regardless of who is at fault, the only losers will be the supporters of both teams. La Liga will also lose if the rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid heats up like it did when Jose Mourinho poked (or attempted to) one of the FC Barcelona coaches in the eye,

Spain could be a bigger loser if the rivalry between the two teams spills over into Euro 2012. The reason is that the players from both teams would think in terms of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid instead of the country.

While born in the USA (and a US soccer supporter), I also support the Spanish National Team and La Liga. The rivalry between the two teams have hurt me (personally) because Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

It would be a shame if the achievements of Spain in the Euro 2008 Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup were to unravel because of a rivalry that has become bitter.