Xavi And FC Barcelona Board Clash On American Pre-Season Tour

FC Barcelona are in dire need of raising money. The club’s debts circle $1.5 billion, and first team coach Xavi Hernandez wants to bring in new signings for the upcoming season so that the Blaugrana can compete with the likes of Real Madrid and their continental rivals for top honors in Spain and beyond.

One of the best ways to do this has traditionally been lucrative pre-season tours, which have been held back for the last few years thanks to the pandemic which affected Barca more than most big clubs.

This summer, however, the Catalans will finally hit the road once more and head to the United States where four games in 16 days await them.

Two of these have already been confirmed, in Miami and New York. In the former, on July 19 after leaving Catalonia three days earlier, Xavi’s men will play against David Beckham’s Inter Miami which club legend Lionel Messi is rumored to have in mind as his next destination when his two-year deal expires with Paris Saint Germain.

On July 23, Real Madrid probably await in El Clasico in Las Vegas before Barca possibly face Juventus in Dallas on July 26 before New York Red Bull help them finish the tour on July 30.

While the two matches wedged between the Miami and New York dates are not yet official, As says that president Joan Laporta does not want to miss the opportunity to make money which is basically “where the division in the club lies”. Xavi and his staff want to play just three games, but the marketing department sees four as “vital”.

As conclude that Xavi and his staff won’t be keen on long trips, training in intense heat, publicity events or matches every three days as they prepare for their next campaign, but it is perhaps the cost of doing business in order to have a competitive team moving forward.

In any event, Barca, who start their preseason on July 4, will have almost 15 days to refresh after arriving back in Europe from the US ahead of La Liga starting on August 12.

Now it remains to be seen how many friendlies are booked, and if Barca might also boast a big signing such as Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to show off to their American fans.