When I first discovered my love for the beautiful game, there was one overwhelming reason why I knew that this would be a life-long passion: connection.

This is probably something that I do not need to elaborate much on to anybody who is reading this. Anyone who reads totalBarça knows the community we have created here – knows that fans from all around the world come here to celebrate (and commiserate) about their favorite team, FC Barcelona.

I continue to be amazed every time I write for this website by the millions of people from all different backgrounds and circumstances that read my articles, that feel the same way I do about a club halfway across the world from them. This connection with people, regardless of where they are from or what they believe in, is what makes this sport different from all the rest.

However, recently, I’ve begun to stumble on my resolve. My questioning has come from not only the angry comments left on this website while the team struggles to meet our high expectations, but also with tragedies like the stadium disaster in Egypt.

What does it really mean to be a fan?

Some may say that being a fan means purchasing the most official team merchandise. Being a season ticket holder and attending every game in person. Having the most knowledge about the history and the statistics of the club and being able to ramble about the choice starting eleven from the year 1963, just in case someone may ask.

Looking at this website, though, I would say that very few of us fit any of those categories. I certainly know that I do not. Does that mean we aren’t fans?

“Of course not!” I’m sure is what some of you are lamenting to your computer screens right now. Yes, you’re right. Money, location, knowledge, power… none of those should factor into who is a better fan than another.

But then, why do we keep playing them against one another?

I have noticed this behavior in our comments section. I appreciate all of the readers on this website, but when I read some just plain mean comments aimed at writers or fellow readers, it makes me rethink if this is really the community I thought it was.

Making fun of people because you don’t agree with their lineup decision, because they don’t write English very well, is unfair. Even worse is to call people names, the worst of which being that they are not as “hardcore” of a fan as you.

There is no hierarchy in fandom. We are all equal because we all share a love for the same blaugrana colors. The only measurement is passion, and that is something we all exude.

Comments are for speaking your mind, for expressing your opinion without fear of antagonism.  We at totalBarça refuse to remove our comments section because that would effectively end our community. However, we are asking that you all think before you type and make the comments section welcoming to everyone once again.

I know that this sport has a history of violent rivalries, one of which this club is involved in. Fans fight with other clubs, they fight within their clubs. Sometimes, as in the case with Egypt, they fight for political reasons that may have very little to do with the actual game. This is all to be expected from the one truly global sport. Its politicization is an unfortunate consequence.

My reason for writing this rather deep article is to ask that we, as culés, rise above this. We support the best team in the world, which means we should be the best fans in the world. That means respect – toward the team, toward opponents, toward each other.

Whether you call it football, fútbol, soccer, calcio, or any other derivative, it is all the same. Whether you attend every game or watch pixelated live streams on your laptop. Whether you know what team we are playing next week or not. Whether you own every player’s jersey or none at all.

All that matters is that you love the same thing I love. That you identify with me, in some small way, is enough for me to feel connected to you. Barcelona is our connection.

In the end, we may all be just fans, but we are also a global community. Do not ever forget that.