FC Barcelona are finally on its way to Asia to begin the 2025 pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
The departure comes two days later than planned, following the resolution of a payment dispute that forced the club to initially suspend the Japan leg of the tour.
Last-minute negotiations secured the €15 million owed to the club for the tour, allowing Hansi Flick, his coaching staff, and the first-team squad, bolstered by several youth players, to take off from El Prat Airport en route to Kobe at 11:00 CET.
Once in Japan, Barça will play their first match of the season, a friendly against Vissel Kobe on Sunday, 27 July. The tour will continue with matches in South Korea against Seoul FC on 31 July and Daegu FC on 4 August.
30-man squad, three major absentees
The official squad list for the trip has now been revealed, with Hansi Flick taking 30 players for the pre-season tour.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a confirmed absentee. In addition to his ongoing dispute with the club, he will undergo surgery for a back issue. Oriol Romeu and Pau Victor will also not travel, as they are finalising moves away from the club.
Meanwhile, Inaki Pena is part of the travelling squad, even though he, too, is expected to depart. The two headline additions are recent signings Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford.
Six youth players will also make the trip and aim to impress Flick during the tour: Diego Kochen, Jofre Torrents, Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’, Guille Fernandez, Toni Fernandez, and new signing Roony Bardghji.
Club president Joan Laporta leads the Barcelona delegation, accompanied by vice president Rafa Yuste. Sporting director Deco, however, will remain in Barcelona to manage ongoing transfer matters.
In total, approximately 130 individuals are travelling with the team, including logistics and security staff already stationed in Kobe.
Barcelona squad list for the 2025 Asia tour
Goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Inaki Pena, Diego Kochen.
Defenders: Pau Cubarsi,
Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado, Dani Olmo, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, Guille Fernandez, Pedro Fernandez ‘Dro’.
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford, Toni Fernandez, Roony Bardghji.
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