JUSTIN
WHAT’S IT TO YA?
Photos & Interview: Ararsa Kitaba
Justin Han is a portrait and street photographer based in Windsor, Ontario. With both Chinese and Vietnamese roots, he found his love for Barcelona from YouTube highlights and never looked back.
When did your love of Barça begin?
I think it started around the 2010–11 final—prime Messi. Being Gen Z, I was on YouTube a lot growing up, and I came across a Messi highlight reel. I just fell in love with the game that way. Naturally, I became a Messi fan, and then a Barça fan.
Aside from Messi, what or who else did you connect with at the club?
As a creative, even from a young age, it was the style—the tiki-taka—that every Barça fan falls in love with. It’s just different. Even the aura of the badge, the culture of the club—it feels unlike anything else.
Player-wise, beyond the obvious Messi, Neymar, Xavi, Busquets—I loved Dani Alves. He had that Brazilian flair, and even though he’s considered one of the best right-backs ever now, I still think he doesn’t get the flowers he deserves.
Same with David Villa. Absolute class. If you know ball, you know—prime Villa was unreal. And Pedro too. Those guys were just as important to that team.
When did your love of Barça begin?
I think it started around the 2010–11 final—prime Messi. Being Gen Z, I was on YouTube a lot growing up, and I came across a Messi highlight reel. I just fell in love with the game that way. Naturally, I became a Messi fan, and then a Barça fan.
Aside from Messi, what or who else did you connect with at the club?
As a creative, even from a young age, it was the style—the tiki-taka—that every Barça fan falls in love with. It’s just different. Even the aura of the badge, the culture of the club—it feels unlike anything else.
Player-wise, beyond the obvious Messi, Neymar, Xavi, Busquets—I loved Dani Alves. He had that Brazilian flair, and even though he’s considered one of the best right-backs ever now, I still think he doesn’t get the flowers he deserves.
Same with David Villa. Absolute class. If you know ball, you know—prime Villa was unreal. And Pedro too. Those guys were just as important to that team.
After that 2010–11 era, how did your relationship with Barça evolve?
It’s tough because that era was Barça at its peak, especially for me watching it live. I can’t really speak to anything before that—I didn’t experience the Cruyff era.
But I think my love was tested and kind of rekindled later. After that peak, Barça went through a rough stretch. It felt like Messi was carrying the team, especially in 2018–19. A lot of people write that season off, but he had an insane run—some of those goals were ridiculous. There were embarrassing moments too, but that period really tested me as a fan.
After Messi left, the rebuild started. Laporta came back, brought in Xavi and now Flick, and we’ve got this incredible young core—arguably the best in the world. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Fermín López, Gavi. We played Espanyol the other day and the average age was around 24. The oldest was Araújo at 26.
It feels like we’re getting back to our identity—La Masia, the style, the culture. That youth, that raw talent—it really represents what the club is about.
In Windsor, when Barça struggles, are you catching heat or dealing with it alone?
Honestly, it’s not too bad. I do remember when we lost 8–2 and you sent me a voice note laughing for like five straight minutes. I was depressed at the time, but looking back, it’s actually hilarious.
A lot of my friends are Madridistas, so there’s constant banter—“UEFAlona” and all that. But that’s football. It makes it more fun.
In Windsor, I don’t know too many hardcore Barça or Madrid fans. You see more Premier League and Serie A support, probably because of the Italian community here.
It’s tough because that era was Barça at its peak, especially for me watching it live. I can’t really speak to anything before that—I didn’t experience the Cruyff era.
But I think my love was tested and kind of rekindled later. After that peak, Barça went through a rough stretch. It felt like Messi was carrying the team, especially in 2018–19. A lot of people write that season off, but he had an insane run—some of those goals were ridiculous. There were embarrassing moments too, but that period really tested me as a fan.
After Messi left, the rebuild started. Laporta came back, brought in Xavi and now Flick, and we’ve got this incredible young core—arguably the best in the world. Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Fermín López, Gavi. We played Espanyol the other day and the average age was around 24. The oldest was Araújo at 26.
It feels like we’re getting back to our identity—La Masia, the style, the culture. That youth, that raw talent—it really represents what the club is about.
In Windsor, when Barça struggles, are you catching heat or dealing with it alone?
Honestly, it’s not too bad. I do remember when we lost 8–2 and you sent me a voice note laughing for like five straight minutes. I was depressed at the time, but looking back, it’s actually hilarious.
A lot of my friends are Madridistas, so there’s constant banter—“UEFAlona” and all that. But that’s football. It makes it more fun.
In Windsor, I don’t know too many hardcore Barça or Madrid fans. You see more Premier League and Serie A support, probably because of the Italian community here.
As a creative and photographer, how would you describe your style?
Right now, it’s pretty raw. I’m just about to graduate, and for the past four years I’ve been focused on school, so photography took a bit of a backseat. But that’s been a blessing in a way—it made me appreciate it more.
I got into street photography, which has been really therapeutic, especially during such an academic-heavy time. Just walking around, experimenting with angles, lighting, different subjects—even random things—it’s been fun. Bringing it into Lightroom and playing with edits changed how I approach my main work, which is portraits.
Now I just focus on having fun. I used to stress about consistency and defining my style, but I’ve let that go. It kind of takes care of itself when you’re just creating and pulling inspiration from everywhere—football included.
Right now, it’s pretty raw. I’m just about to graduate, and for the past four years I’ve been focused on school, so photography took a bit of a backseat. But that’s been a blessing in a way—it made me appreciate it more.
I got into street photography, which has been really therapeutic, especially during such an academic-heavy time. Just walking around, experimenting with angles, lighting, different subjects—even random things—it’s been fun. Bringing it into Lightroom and playing with edits changed how I approach my main work, which is portraits.
Now I just focus on having fun. I used to stress about consistency and defining my style, but I’ve let that go. It kind of takes care of itself when you’re just creating and pulling inspiration from everywhere—football included.
When you travel, do you come across street football culture?
Yeah, even if I didn’t capture it on camera. Europe is different. I was there a few years ago, and you feel it right away. Everything’s more condensed, the cities are older—you just feel football in the air.
It’s a game anyone can play, and in a lot of places, kids gravitate toward it because it’s accessible. You see people outside, playing, hanging out. In Windsor, everyone’s driving—you don’t really see that as much. So it was refreshing, especially as someone who values that more now.
If you could change Windsor’s football culture, what would you want to see?
There are a lot of people who love and play football here, but it’s still pretty niche. Not many people know where to go or how to get involved.
From my experience, it can be a pretty showboaty environment—sometimes even toxic. I just like playing for the sake of playing, but it’s hard to find people at your level or people who aren’t trying to prove something.
It’d be great if people came together more and made it more accessible. When @fordcityfc started those casual runs, it was huge. Before that, it was mostly tight circles or organized leagues. Just more casual, welcoming environments—people kicking a ball around, keeping it simple.
Yeah, even if I didn’t capture it on camera. Europe is different. I was there a few years ago, and you feel it right away. Everything’s more condensed, the cities are older—you just feel football in the air.
It’s a game anyone can play, and in a lot of places, kids gravitate toward it because it’s accessible. You see people outside, playing, hanging out. In Windsor, everyone’s driving—you don’t really see that as much. So it was refreshing, especially as someone who values that more now.
If you could change Windsor’s football culture, what would you want to see?
There are a lot of people who love and play football here, but it’s still pretty niche. Not many people know where to go or how to get involved.
From my experience, it can be a pretty showboaty environment—sometimes even toxic. I just like playing for the sake of playing, but it’s hard to find people at your level or people who aren’t trying to prove something.
It’d be great if people came together more and made it more accessible. When @fordcityfc started those casual runs, it was huge. Before that, it was mostly tight circles or organized leagues. Just more casual, welcoming environments—people kicking a ball around, keeping it simple.
Does anyone in your family follow football?
My dad does, casually. He watches the World Cup and throws on highlights now and then. We’re Vietnamese, so he’s always like, “Vietnam’s on the come up, bro—they’re actually decent.” It’s funny because he mostly watches highlights, so he’s a bit optimistic—but it’s nice.
What was it like growing up without a national team to fully support in the World Cup?
We grew up pretty frugal, so for a long time we didn’t have internet or cable. If we caught games, it was usually at a restaurant or somewhere random.
I’d usually support Japan or another Asian team—just the closest connection to Vietnam. After that, it was whoever I thought was cool or recognized from FIFA. I’d play at friends’ houses, and that’s how I got to know players and teams.
With the World Cup coming to Canada, do you plan to attend?
I’d love to, but ticket prices are crazy. Toronto’s the closest city, but getting around during big events is tough, especially driving. So I’ll probably watch from home—but we’ll see. Never say never.
Post-World Cup, what are your hopes for Canadian football and local communities?
The simple answer is I hope more people get exposed to the sport and in turn the overall quality of football in Canada on a competitive level gets improved. And like I said before, maybe encourage more human interaction. In a digital age, we lack that, especially here in Windsor where it's very car dominated. People aren’t out on their feet as much.
Ever since Qatar, it feels like Canadian football has been on the rise. We’ve got a lot of players in Europe now. Eustáquio was at Porto not too long ago, Davies at Bayern, Johnston in Scotland, and more coming through. There’s real momentum. By the next World Cup, I think we’ll have a much stronger, more developed squad. If guys like Davies stay healthy and David hits his prime, there’s a lot to be excited about.
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My dad does, casually. He watches the World Cup and throws on highlights now and then. We’re Vietnamese, so he’s always like, “Vietnam’s on the come up, bro—they’re actually decent.” It’s funny because he mostly watches highlights, so he’s a bit optimistic—but it’s nice.
What was it like growing up without a national team to fully support in the World Cup?
We grew up pretty frugal, so for a long time we didn’t have internet or cable. If we caught games, it was usually at a restaurant or somewhere random.
I’d usually support Japan or another Asian team—just the closest connection to Vietnam. After that, it was whoever I thought was cool or recognized from FIFA. I’d play at friends’ houses, and that’s how I got to know players and teams.
With the World Cup coming to Canada, do you plan to attend?
I’d love to, but ticket prices are crazy. Toronto’s the closest city, but getting around during big events is tough, especially driving. So I’ll probably watch from home—but we’ll see. Never say never.
Post-World Cup, what are your hopes for Canadian football and local communities?
The simple answer is I hope more people get exposed to the sport and in turn the overall quality of football in Canada on a competitive level gets improved. And like I said before, maybe encourage more human interaction. In a digital age, we lack that, especially here in Windsor where it's very car dominated. People aren’t out on their feet as much.
Ever since Qatar, it feels like Canadian football has been on the rise. We’ve got a lot of players in Europe now. Eustáquio was at Porto not too long ago, Davies at Bayern, Johnston in Scotland, and more coming through. There’s real momentum. By the next World Cup, I think we’ll have a much stronger, more developed squad. If guys like Davies stay healthy and David hits his prime, there’s a lot to be excited about.
