There’s a collective will for Tito Vilanova to pull through after the pleasure he has given us

 
20 December 2012

Chelsea’s flirting with Pep Guardiola, the speculation he might prefer Manchester City or even United and the draw for the Champions League round of 16, normally one of the more gripping events of the pre-Christmas period. Just a few things the renewed illness of Tito Vilanova, Guardiola’s successor and erstwhile chief assistant at Barcelona, puts in perspective.

Many people have to cope with cancer and most survive, as Eric Abidal’s all-clear to play for Barcelona again after a liver transplant in April emphasises.

But there will still be sympathy for Vilanova from millions who will never meet him because he has given us so much pleasure in helping Guardiola to produce the most beautiful team, certainly in the eye of this beholder, ever to have played the game.

He was made aware of it recently in Glasgow, where, before the Celtic hordes howled their team to a famous victory, they offered a respectful round of applause to the visitors. That seldom happens in the build-up to a big match and, when Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi or anyone else connected with this Barcelona era retires, the intangible trophy it represents will be among their most prized.

It remains to be seen whether Guardiola is asked to return and deputise for Vilanova while he recovers from surgery, though he might be able to work while undergoing the latter stages of post-operative therapy. As Sandro Rosell, Barcelona’s president, said: “Tito is strong, very strong. He has shown us that [Vilanova had a cancerous tumour removed from his neck in November 2011] and we’re convinced he’ll be back with us very soon.”

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have offered “love and affection”. If the power of universal esteem means anything, Vilanova will win again.

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