Sir, – Economists frequently comment on the idea of the “superstar economy”, and this week saw the finest example of that with Lionel Messi publicly traumatised as he was forced to leave FC Barcelona.
Within 48 hours, the Catalan nationalist claim of Barcelona being “more than a club” had been swiftly replaced by the petro and gas dollars of Qatar, and without doubt we will soon be treated to the sight of him kissing the club crest on the corporate-sponsored shirt while pledging that he always wanted to play for Paris Saint Germain. As long, that is, as the money keeps flowing.
Oh, what a beautiful game! – Yours, etc,
DAVID DOYLE,
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Sandymount,
Dublin 4.