Barcelona’s marketing department is nothing if not creative.
No sooner had the Catalan club seen a healthy chunk of much-needed revenue wiped off by the cancellation of their Miami-based league meeting with Villarreal than a new lucrative friendly in Peru was reportedly in the works.
A combination of public backlash and the divisive communication approach of La Liga president Javier Tebas ultimately led to the demise of a project which has been in the works for more than half a decade.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta admitted that he was “not enthusiastic” about the venture but conceded: “Money will be made in Miami.” Not any more. The Catalan outfit are thought to have lost out on around $5–6 million by this cancellation. Yet, when one door closes, another one opens.
The reigning La Liga champions have been presented with the prospect of playing a friendly in Peru over the winter break that could bank the club between €7–8 million ($8.2–9.3 million), according to . The exact location and opponent for this money-spinning friendly has not yet been established, but Barcelona’s willingness to take part is becoming clear.
Laporta is, surprisingly enough, reportedly eager to accept the proposal and has opened up a dialogue with manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco about the feasibility of staging such a match.
