Barcelona face 14 hour flight for friendly immediately after league game

19 December 2023 , 23:09

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Barcelona will have to travel 14 hours in a two day span (Image: Getty)

Barcelona face a demanding schedule, embarking on a 14-hour flight for a friendly aimed at revenue generation.

The Spanish giants have a crucial La Liga match on Wednesday, a home game against Almeria. And pretty much immediately after, they face a mammoth 14 hour flight to Dallas, Texas, for a midseason friendly Thursday night against Liga MX team Club America.

Despite the taxing travel, most of their first-team players are expected to make the trip. ESPN reported that the primary objective of this fixture is to generate revenue for the club, considering the poor financial position the club has been in for the last few years.

Barcelona's game against Almeria is a must-win for Xavi, considering Saturday's draw against Valencia left them nine points behind La Liga leaders Girona. They will, however, have the added benefit of a few weeks off after the trip to Dallas, giving the team a much-needed opportunity to regroup.

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Still, a trip to Dallas just hours after a game isn't ideal, and highlights how poor the club's financial situation currently is.

Barca's board previously emphasised that the club's net debt has seen improvement for the second consecutive season. The figure has decreased from £586million as of June 30, 2021, to £476m as of June 30, 2023.

In the aftermath of a dynamic 2022-23 fiscal year, Barcelona's financial journey showcases a blend of triumphs and challenges. Guided by Joan Laporta, the club achieved an unprecedented net profit of £262m, exceeding initial forecasts.

Barcelona has struggled financially in recent years

The notable financial success was markedly shaped by a unique accounting entry tied to the partial sale of Barca Vision—an innovative platform leveraging emerging technologies such as Web3 and Artificial Intelligence to transform the experience of their fanbase.

Despite a remarkable surge in the commercial sector, there are lingering apprehensions regarding sporting debts, with outstanding transfers amounting to £162m. As the Spotify Camp Nou transforms, Barcelona confronts the intricate task of maintaining equilibrium amidst these financial dynamics.

Barcelona also still owe nearly £162m in transfer fees to the following players:

• £54m to Leeds United for Raphinha
• £10.8m to Sevilla for Jules Koundé
• £8.7m to Bayern München for Robert Lewandowski
• £13.8m to Ajax for Frenkie de Jong
• £3.4m to Valencia for Neto
• £3.3m to Betis for Emerson and Junior Firpo
• £431,000 to Juventus for Miralem Pjanic

Rory Robinson