DEARBORN — When Barcelona FC plays Real Madrid, we behold soccer’s greatest rivalry. One does not have to cross the Atlantic Ocean to witness the intensity of the competitiveness between the teams’ supporters. On Wednesday, April 16, during the final of the Spanish cup, the fierce contention between the fans could be observed among local Arab Americans in Dearborn.

Sky Lounge was crowded with passionate fans. All the frantic cheering, referee cursing, profanity and lamenting of missed chances you would expect to experience at a stadium in Spain were present at the cafe in Dearborn on that Wednesday. Even the employees were dressed in Real and Barcelona jerseys.

Sky’s soccer zealots would dance on tables to celebrate their team’s goals, shout insults at the rival club and argue over every single decision by the referee. All the drama was unfolding to the sound of bubbling hookahs and the beat of the derbakeh, a traditional Arabic drum, that one fan brought to the cafe. 

Soccer is the most popular sport in the Arab World, where it is known as “football.” It is common to see the flags of European and South American soccer teams hanging from the balconies of Arab homes in the Middle East. Some fans even represent their favorite soccer clubs and raise their flags at political rallies. Perhaps the Arab masses escape the deadly rivalry of politics and sect while they experience soccer’s friendly competitiveness.

The Real-Barcelona rivalry particularly has seeped deeply into Arab pop culture. “My lover is a Barcelona fan, she’s infatuated with Barcelona. I support Madrid but I would switch [allegiances] for her eyes,” sings Emirati star Hussain Al Jasmi, in one of the most popular Arabic hits this year. 

Arab immigrants have brought this soccer obsession with them to their new home in southeast Michigan, and some second-generation Arab Americans have acquired it from their surroundings. 

Sultan Jamil, a Barcelona supporter, said watching soccer at cafes helps him reconnect with his childhood in Lebanon.  He added that he is still teasing his friends who are Real fans about the last month’s game when Barcelona defeated Madrid 4-3.  A Real supporter who was sitting at the same table responded rather typically to Jamil’s bragging. “The referee handed Barcelona that game,” he said, referring to the two penalties that were awarded to the Catalonia-based team.

“Yallah (come on),” the fans would scream at every scoring chance.  Popular Arabic chants like “The first [goal] got in. Where’s the second,” “We mopped the floor with your team,” and “What do you want? Just leave already,” were being shouted at Sky Lounge during the game, which ended 2-1 in Real Madrid’s favor.

“We’re going to win for sure,” said Barcelona fan Hassan Ayoub confidently at halftime when Real was up 1-0. “It’s a wonderful vibe.”

Hassan Ghamloush said although soccer is not popular in the United States, the diversity of the country allows soccer fans to enjoy the full experience of their love for the game. “During the game we all hate each other, but after the game, we are all one family. Football brings us together,” he added.

Sky Lounge is one of many cafes that offer a stadium-like experience in the area. Hussein Mokhal, a manager at Signature Cafe in Dearborn, said the hookah bar packs in more than 150 fans during major games.

“Soccer is becoming big in the U.S., especially with the World Cup coming up,” he said. “We get a mixed crowd of immigrants and people who were born here. They all come together and enjoy the game. It’s always friendly between fans but it’s about who gets the bragging rights.”