Author and journalist Miguel Pereira sat down with us to talk about his new book, Pasión, which explores the vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted football culture of Spain.
Pereira’s work uncovers why Spain has become the continent’s football powerhouse this century—and what makes the game such a vital part of Spanish life.
What inspired you to embark on this journey through Spanish football culture? Was there a specific moment when you knew this book needed to be written?
“There were probably three key reasons.
“Firstly, there just aren’t enough books on Spanish football in English, which is surprising when you consider how dominant Spain has been in the 21st century at club and international level. We still have Morbo by Phil Ball, which is a brilliant book, but that came out in the early 2000s. Spain deserved an updated portrait.
“Secondly, I’ve lived in Spain since I was 22 1 over 16 years now – so it became my adoptive country. I started to understand not only Spanish football but the country’s complex identity. And that’s when I realised: as a foreigner on the inside, I could offer both an outsider’s curiosity and an insider’s understanding.
“Finally, I’d just finished writing Bring Me the Horizon about Portuguese football. I thought, “Why stop here?” So I got in my car and kept driving—literally crossing the border—and continued the journey through Spain’s many regions and football cultures.”
Spain is famously diverse, with powerful regional identities – Catalonia, the Basque Country, Andalusia. How do each of these regions shape the footballing culture?
“Spain is truly one of a kind in Europe. You could compare it historically with Yugoslavia – so many distinct cultures within one nation. In Spain, football expresses those regional identities vividly.
“Take Andalusia: football there is about flair, artistry, emotion. In Catalonia, it’s more tactical, precise about collective passing and control. The north, in the Basque Country or Asturias, values grit, direct football, and commitment. And then in Madrid, the capital, it’s about winners. People expect a winning mentality. That reflects not just in the style of football, but in the culture of the cities.
“Yet what unites them all is pasión – the book’s title. Spain lives football 24/7. From sports papers with 40 pages daily to late-night tapas before a 10pm kickoff, it’s embedded in the rhythm of life.”
You spoke with many players, journalists, and club officials. What was the recurring theme that kept coming up about Spanish football’s character?
“Passion, without a doubt. Whether it’s a big club or a tiny provincial team, everyone I spoke to from journalists to players and fans talked about how deeply people care. Even though Real Madrid and Barcelona dominate, there’s a growing movement of people reconnecting with their local clubs.
“It’s not just about weekends. Football is in the newspapers, on TV, on the radio – every single day. People talk about it with their families, friends, colleagues. It’s how they live. That constant engagement is something you don’t see everywhere. It’s what gives Spanish football its soul.”
Why do you think Spain has been so dominant – both at club level with Real Madrid, Barça, and Sevilla, and internationally with that golden generation?
“A lot of it comes down to historical timing. The players who won the 2008 Euros, 2010 World Cup, and 2012 Euros were the first generation born after the dictatorship. They grew up in a free, democratic Spain – open to new ideas, new ways of playing.
“That generation – Casillas, Xavi, Iniesta, Ramos, Silva – they had confidence and creativity. They weren’t burdened by fear like earlier generations. They became a symbol of Spain growing into a modern nation.
“At club level, sound management played a huge role. Clubs like Villarreal, Sevilla, and Atlético Madrid thrived not just because of money, but because of long-term planning and smart coaching.
“And crucially, Spain realised they couldn’t compete financially with the Premier League or state-backed clubs. So they doubled down on youth development and tactical coaching and now they’re exporting talent across Europe.”
Finally, what can readers expect from Pasión – and how is it different from other football books?
“I like to think of it as a road trip in book form. You hop in the car with me, and we drive through Spain’s cities, stadiums, and stories. You’ll feel the atmosphere, hear the fans, taste the culture. But it’s also a book about Spain as a country—its history, politics, identity.
“You can’t separate football from the society that produces it. So if you want to understand why Spain plays the way it does, and why it feels the way it does about football, this book is for you.”
Where to buy:
Pasión and Bring Me the Horizon are available in local bookstores across the UK, and also online via Waterstones and Amazon.
Featured image courtesy of Pitch Publishing
Callum McFadden 