Barca ‘are set to play in Australia as giants agree deal in principle to face A-League All Stars’

Barcelona are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to stage a friendly match in Sydney this winter, in a move that will see soccer’s most notable players take on an A-League All Star line-up.

The five-time European champions travel across the globe for a number of tours, having travelled to Asia back in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic halted their international plans.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Catalonians are set to touchdown in Australia this winter, with the LaLiga giants expected to face an A-League All Stars team in either late May or early June. 

Barcelona are reportedly set to touchdown in Australia after agreeing to play in the winter

The soccer giants are understood to be heading to the 83,000-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park as part of their end of season tour. Terms are said to have been struck ‘in principle’ for the game to take place either before or after the A-League grand final on May 28. 

If a deal is agreed, it will give Aussie fans the chance to watch the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves in the flesh having had to watch, as well as the next generation of stars in Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Pedri. 

An A-League All Stars team – comprising the best talents the Australian comp has to offer – was first formed in 2013 when Manchester United toured.

The soccer giants typically go on international tours before and after each season in Spain

An A-League All Stars side will be formed for the first time since Juventus visited in 2014

A similar team was put together when Italian club Juventus visited in 2014 but the concept has not been revived since.

Barcelona are one of the most successful clubs in world soccer and have won LaLiga 26 times, as well as 31 Copa Del Reys and five Champions League titles. 

Club legend Xavi returned in December after former boss Ronald Koeman was flicked after a terrible start to the campaign. 

The Spaniard was unable to immediately arrest the slide and the Catalonians were dumped out of the Champions League group stage and sent to the Europa League – the first time they have appeared in the competition since 2004.