Stars

Messi-led Barcelona arrives in Beijing

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-05 14:37

BEIJING - Lionel Messi has arrived in Beijing with Barcelona for the second leg of the Spanish champions's preseason tour of Asia.

Lionel Messi arrives in Beijing with Barcelona early Thursday morning for the second leg of the Spanish champions's preseason tour of Asia. [Photo/CFP]

Barcelona just concluded an exhibition match in Seoul with South Korea's K-league all-star team yesterday to commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between Spain and South Korea.

Related readings:  Messi suspends World Cup training for flu  Maradona demands protection for Messi  Argentine player Messi not desperate for personal goal

Barcelona will play Chinese Super League champions Beijing Guo'an in China's national stadium, the Bird's Nest at 8:00 on August 8, two years after the opening of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The Bird Nest is familiar to Messi, who led Argentina to the champion at the Olympic Games.

The Spanish champions' eight World Cup winners have been rested.

The Barcelona players that helped Spain win the World Cup didn't travel to the far east. They are Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes, David Villa, Pedro Rodriguez, Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta, who scored in the 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is bringing 28 players on the tour.