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Trimmed Barcelona hopes to wow China

By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-04 11:56

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) of Argentina arrives with his teammates at a hotel in Seoul August 2, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

Spanish giant plays Beijing Guo'an on Sunday without national stars

BEIJING - Chinese fans still reveling in Spain's World Cup triumph will have even more reason to celebrate this week when European giant Barcelona comes to town.

Although Barca will be without eight national team members during its China tour this week, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi could be set to lead the Spanish team's charge.

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The 2009 European champion will take on a South Korean All-star team on Wednesday and then meet China's Super League winner, Beijing Guo'an, at the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium on Sunday.

"So far, the ticket sales are very good," said Peng Fulong from International Sports, which has organized China leg of the team's Asia tour.

Peng said he expected the absence of Spanish national players would have some effect on ticket sales but was unable to predict exactly what that would be.

The eight missing players are Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez, David Villa and goalkeeper Victor Valdes, who are all enjoying longer vacations than their Barcelona peers.

"Yes, there are some negative effects on our preparation for this match on Sunday. But it's very small. Everything is going smoothly right now," said Peng. "China has a large number of Barcelona fans - especially for Messi. He will be at the center of the limelight."

However, Messi fans may feel more nervous after news emerged on Tuesday evening that Barcelona plans to rest the Argentine star for the friendly in Seoul.

Messi has traveled with Barcelona for its tour of East Asia, but Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said the player "will not be there" for the game on Wednesday.

Guardiola told the Associated Press, "this is the first training for him for the new season so his condition is not 100 percent."

The decision is a blow to organizers, who have been criticized for high ticket prices and agreeing to the absence of Barcelona's Spanish World Cup-winning contingent.

Korean organizer Sports Story said Barcelona is contractually obligated to play Messi for at least 30 minutes.

Messi and his teammates will have a busy schedule during their four-day stay in Beijing. After arriving at the airport early on Thursday morning, they will be welcomed by a number of fans, who have been organized by sponsor, Audi, to drive the players to their hotel in Audi Q7s. Each car will bear the shirt number of the particular player it is carrying.

The team will then meet the media at a press conference on Thursday night and also take part in a number of charity activities on Saturday.