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Barcelona says big-name players will make trip to Beijing

(AP)
Updated: 2007-05-21 15:59

Barcelona is coming to China, and so are the big-name players.

Local organizers said Monday that Barcelona has guaranteed that its first team will be available for the match in Beijing on August 5 _ which means Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho are expected to make the trip if they are still with the club.

European teams have been widely criticized in recent years for bringing second-rate squads to Asia for summer friendly games, more concerned with marketing the club brand than playing a serious game.

The Spanish club confirmed it will play against local club Guo'an, a match set to be played at Fengtai stadium. The modest facility seats only 30,000 but will be upgraded to about 35,000, event organizers said. The larger Worker's Stadium is under renovation and will not be ready until late this year.

Barcelona will also play in Japan and Hong Kong during its Asia tour.