Why Barcelona are having problems with TikTokers and social media influencers

Barça defender Iñigo Martínez’s confrontation with a “fan” went viral on Monday. Lionel Messi is among other players to have been targeted.

Barcelona defender Iñigo Martínez got involved in a confrontation with a supposed fan after a training session on Monday, with footage of the incident going viral on social media. The clip shows an irate Martínez step out of his car and reprimand the youngster for “insulting” him, saying it’s “the last time” it’s going to happen.

A number of other Barça players past and present, including Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba and even Lionel Messi have previously had run-ins with so-called supporters after training. And Monday’s episode has highlighted a growing problem soccer clubs - Barcelona in particular - are having to deal with: young people looking to monetise viral content on their social network of choice.

We have seen several instances of such “fans” asking players to stop for selfies or autographs, and jumping in front of vehicles or shouting insults if they don’t. As BeSoccer has explained, these very particular “influencers” coordinate with one another, stringing themselves out in an attempt to force or provoke players to stop. All with the goal of getting a short clip of an angry player they can post on TikTok, Instagram stories and the like.

In addition, there have others who have asked for autographs on jerseys and photographs “for charity,” which they have they sold for high prices online. Several players have already reported such incidents, including João Cancelo. “They ask for autographs so they can sell them later. The same thing is repeated every day and it is always the same people,” the Portuguese explained on social media after being criticised for not stopping for fans.

Ba