Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
CROWDS flocked to Seef Mall at the weekend to sniff out the answer to one of football’s toughest questions … who are the best, FC Barcelona or Real Madrid?
The editor of this fine organ decided it was down to me – sales manager and man about town extraordinaire – to put my footballing prowess and my nose for a good story to the test.
I was joined by hundreds of supporters of the Spanish football giants as perfumery house Al Hawaj put on a spectacular show at the shopping centre to launch the two clubs’ latest range of fragrances.
The El Clásico event offered fans an opportunity to compare Cristiano Ronaldo to the Lionel Messi of the fragrance world and snap up a bottle at a special price but also take part in a penalty shootout with live commentary from celebrity DJs.
As eyes focused on the action, I slipped down the wing and sprayed a few passes of perfume across the air.
FC Barcelona boasted elements that go into making this product hints at the horizon with citrus zests of bergamot and Mediterranean lime along with aromatic juniper berries and neroli. The heart of the blend introduces the tracts of African orange flower, lemon verbena, and pepper.
Real Madrid is a fresh, citrusy and vibrant fragrance that will keep you smelling crisp and clean throughout the day. It is sporty and masculine and perfect for daily wear. Real Madrid comes in an attractive and handy bottle that can be easily carried anywhere.
There were definite notes of lemon, bergamot and citrusy notes
El Clásico maybe the name given in football to any match between fierce rivals Real Madrid and FC Barcelona but the rivalry is clearly spreading across the perfumery counter.
Originally it referred only to those competitions held in the Spanish championship, but nowadays the term has been generalised, and tends to include every single match between the two clubs: UEFA Champions League or Copa del Rey. Other than the UEFA Champions League Final, it is considered one of the biggest club football games in the world, and is among the most viewed annual sporting events. The match is known for its intensity, just like the perfume.
The rivalry comes about as Madrid and Barcelona are the two largest cities in Spain, and they are sometimes identified with opposing political positions, with Real Madrid viewed as representing Spanish nationalism and Barcelona viewed as representing Catalan nationalism, rather topical at the moment.
The rivalry is regarded as one of the biggest in world sport as the two clubs are among the richest and most successful football clubs in the world. Both clubs have a global fan base including huge following in Bahrain as this event proved.
Real Madrid leads the head-to-head results in competitive matches with 95 wins to Barcelona’s 91, while Barcelona leads in total matches with 111 wins to Real Madrid’s 99.
On the smell front, Mr Editor, I’ll call it a score draw … just like the price!
REAL MADRID Eau de Toilette 100ml Spray – BD14.500
FC BARCELONA Eau de Toilette 100m Spray – BD14.500
