FC Barcelona are set to face Mexican club Pumas in the Joan Gamper Trophy this year. The Blaugrana were previously expected to face Jose Mourinho’s Roma, but the Europa Conference League winners decided to withdraw from the pre-season game.
Due to ECA’s pressure on other European clubs to not play against Barcelona due to their Super League plans, they have failed to find an opponent in the continent. And as a result, have had to turn to North America for their statement preseason friendly.
FC Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Trophy fixtures announced
While the men’s team will be facing Pumas, the women’s team will be facing Montpellier. Traditionally, the men’s and women’s team from the same club face off against each other. But it was not possible in the situation, and the women’s team will be facing the French club at Estadi Johan Cruyff on August 23.
The men’s team will be facing Pumas despite consideration of AC Milan and Atlas as potential opponents. Their friendly will be played at Camp Nou on August 7. Tickets for the rescheduled fixture have already gone on sale, after those for the previous fixture were refunded.
The most prolific Joan Gamper Trophy fixture in recent years involved Juventus taking on Barcelona. This was one of the last times we saw Cristiano Ronaldo face off against Lionel Messi, before the pair switched clubs.
