Spanish football powerhouse Barcelona to play blockbuster exhibition match against A-League All Stars

The Lionel Messi era may be over but Barcelona still have some of the biggest international stars in football - and Aussie fans will get to see them up close next month.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 03: Players of FC Barcelona pose for a team picture during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Camp Nou on April 03, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

One of the biggest football clubs in the world, FC Barcelona, will bring its top class players down under for the first time in its 123-year history for an exhibition match against the A-leagues All Stars.

The battle for the history books will take place at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on May 25 and serve as a curtain raiser to the A-League men’s grand final weekend on May 28-29 and football’s prestigious Dolan Warren Awards.

FC Barcelona, one of the most successful football clubs in the world, have won 26 La Liga titles, five European Cups, 31 Copa Del Rey trophies and three FIFA World Cups.

They have been home to some of the best players in the world including Lionel Messi and have a host of international stars in their ranks, including Dani Alves, Adama Traore, Ferran Torres, Pierre Aubamayang, Jodi Alba and Gerard Pique.

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Young star Pedri scores for Barcelona.

Barca have 396 million followers across its social media platforms and Australian fans will be able to get up close and personal with community events and an open training session planned ahead of the match.

They are the third international football club to announce a pre-season friendly tour to Australia – with Manchester United and Crystal Palace announcing last week they would play in Melbourne in July.

Backed by Destination NSW and Venues NSW on behalf of the NSW Government, FC Barcelona’s historic visit will kick-off a big month of events in Sydney, including the Vivid Sydney Festival.

Minister Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the event would once again highlight Sydney as the home of Football in Australia.

“The FC Barcelona vs A-Leagues All Stars match will generate significant international interest and put Australian football back in the international spotlight. It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase both our domestic professional A-leagues and our beautiful Harbour City to the world,” Ayres said.

Barcelona’s team poses before a La Liga match.

“Hosting this sporting star power in Sydney will highlight the city’s attractions and world-class events calendar to football fans around the globe, turbocharging the NSW visitor economy on its road to recovery.”

The 80,000 strong crowd at Accor Stadium will be significantly less than the 99,354 fans Barcelona are used to playing in front of at the iconic Camp Nou but FC Barcelona Vice-President Marketing Area, Juli Guiu, said it was a fantastic opportunity.

“Being able to play this match will give us the opportunity to bring the club and its values ​​closer to our fans and will also give us the opportunity for new audiences to get to know FC Barcelona and all that it represents, which has made it a reference entity on and off the pitch,” Guiu said.

Australian football fans will hope to see Barcelona’s biggest stars.

It has been eight years since an A-League All Stars team was formed for an international clash. The team, featuring the league’s top players and a coach will be announced in coming days.

Australian Professional Leagues CEO Danny Townsend said the exhibition match would be a great boost following the A-League’s third Covid-affected season.

“One of the world’s best teams taking on the best of the A-League just days before the men’s Grand Final is going to deliver a feast of football for fans in Australia during Grand Final Week,” Townsend said.