Barcelona announce trip to Sydney with Catalans set to face A-League all stars

Barcelona have announced a trip to Australia at the end of the season, with the soccer giants set to face the A-League all stars in Sydney.

The five-time European champions travel across the globe for a number of tours, having ventured  to Asia back in 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic halted their international plans.

Last month, reports suggested that the Catalans are set to touchdown in Australia for the first time this winter, with a game against the A-League's very best players mooted.

And now Barcelona have confirmed that such plans are set in stone, with the club heading to the 83,000-capacity Accor Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park as part of their end of season tour.

It means that Aussie fans will have the chance to watch the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves in the flesh, as well as the next generation of stars in Frenkie de Jong, Gavi and Pedri.

“The FC Barcelona v A-Leagues All Stars match will generate significant international interest and put Australian football back in the international spotlight,' Australia's Minister for Tourism and Sport, Stuart Ayres, said.

'It’s an incredible opportunity to showcase both our domestic professional A-Leagues and our beautiful Harbour City to the world.

'Hosting this sporting star power in Sydney will highlight the city’s attractions and world-class events calendar to football fans around the globe, turbocharging the NSW visitor economy on its road to recovery.'

An A-League All Stars team - comprising the best talents the Australian comp has to offer - was first formed in 2013 when Manchester United toured.

A similar team was put together when Italian club Juventus visited in 2014 but the concept has not been revived since.

Barcelona are one of the most successful clubs in world soccer and have won LaLiga 26 times, as well as 31 Copa Del Reys and five Champions League titles.

Club legend Xavi returned in December after former boss Ronald Koeman was flicked after a terrible start to the campaign.

The Spaniard was unable to immediately arrest the slide and the Catalonians were dumped out of the Champions League group stage and sent to the Europa League - the first time they have appeared in the competition since 2004.