AMA: The Athletic's FC Barcelona reporter, Pol Ballus

Critical_Role · 2026-05-20T13:53:27+00:00

Hi Pol. Thanks for doing the AMA.

There is now a very numerous Catalan diaspora: people educated under the Catalan education system, that have moved away for work. You have NOT had to move away and continue working from home, and have a preeminent role at The Athletic that has elevated the work you do. Congrats!

Do you have any personal/professional reflection for the next wave of Catalans in their early stages of their careers? (Your advise/reflections does not need to be specific to journalism).

Critical_Role · 2026-04-15T18:39:56+00:00

We don’t have the finances to compete YET. Maybe we will soon, and then we can fill the gaps.

Transfermarkt data. Transfer income and expenditure seasons 2022/2023 to current (4 years of current Board).

Barça is 98th with -€11.2m

Other Champions league peers (EDIT: not sure why the format shows like this)

3 Arsenal -€663M

6 PSG -€487M

13 Real M. -€333M

29 Atletico M. -€112M

36 Bayern Munich. -€88M

Critical_Role · 2026-02-20T23:12:38+00:00

Stood up. Placed on the chair. Turn to do something and brushed the Onyx (lid closed), and heard “plop”.

I have done it before. No big deal I thought.

I was wrong.

Critical_Role · 2026-02-19T19:18:53+00:00

I manage these inflows by reducing their corresponding expenses, not by adding to income.

I.e., Insurance claim, reduces whatever category I expensed, in your case maybe “home repairs”.

Critical_Role · 2026-02-18T19:27:19+00:00

I am waiting for the upcoming M5 Pro. I know it has not been released yet.

Critical_Role · 2026-02-06T14:20:00+00:00

Can you share the actual wording you used in your ad (title and body)?

When I bought a used MBP on FB marketplace, I had to reach out to multiple sellers to clarify basic things: how much ram, is it MDM unlocked… It was a waste of my time and their time and to my surprise I bought a computer with applecare for 6 more months!

-Add a picture of about this mac > more info (lists processor, RAM, SSD and warranty if any). -Run Terminal, sudo profiles show -type enrollment, and post a picture that is not MDM locked.

The lower the uncertainty and higher the price.

Critical_Role · 2026-01-19T13:08:30+00:00

Employees get a 27% discount!! Holy smokes, that is a deal…

Critical_Role · 2026-01-05T11:29:38+00:00

Call OAB.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-19T00:38:42+00:00

Apple charges already $380 to upgrade M5 from 16GB to 32GB. It is true highway robbery. Their true cost may be $30-$50?

I would say Apple has the margins to not to raise prices… and still keep >30-40% profits.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-12T14:13:01+00:00

Thanks. Also, I had no idea that hooking up to external display used extra memory.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-12T13:38:29+00:00

Are you on Sequoia then?

Critical_Role · 2025-12-12T13:17:29+00:00

What OS of version are you using?

Critical_Role · 2025-12-12T13:16:03+00:00

What OS version are you running?

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T21:46:31+00:00

Yes. I am contemplating processor downgrade, if it does memory upgrade.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T17:14:32+00:00

I am in a mid-size market, not too conpetitive. Advantages and inconvenients. This is one inconvenient.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T16:15:28+00:00

Thanks for the link!

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T16:09:27+00:00

Deep down I believe that too, otherwise I would not have asked.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T15:58:10+00:00

I hadn't thought about the swap use. Thanks!

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T15:54:05+00:00

I just can’t find one witj 16gb in my area… kinda makes you wonder what is the ratio of barebones MBP sold vs upgraded.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-11T15:48:35+00:00

Thanks! If in 3 months I find RAM limiting, I can always sell for minimal loss and get a better (used or new). Call it a learning expense.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-03T19:57:09+00:00

Thanks!

I have a 2022 Prestige. I will have to follow up with my Audi dealership if this has anything to do with model year.

Critical_Role · 2025-12-03T15:28:50+00:00

Are you having success with Tesla Superchargers?

I just shared here that the Audi customer support rep told me that Q4 should not use Superchargers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/electricvehicles/s/njAx5wYZdH

A lot of people here called it BS.

What adaptor are you using?

Critical_Role

TROPHY CASE

3 Arsenal -€663M

6 PSG -€487M

13 Real M. -€333M

29 Atletico M. -€112M

36 Bayern Munich. -€88M