FC Barcelona is already in Kobe, Japan to start the pre-season Asian tour that will consist of three matches ahead of the 2025/26 season. In this regard, the Barça team led by Hansi Flick has already held its first and only training session before the match they will play this Sunday against Vissel Kobe.
The German coach had at his disposal the 30 players he called up, among whom Marcus Rashford and Joan García stand out. The participation of the Englishman is still in doubt, while the Catalan goalkeeper has everything in his favor to be the team's goalkeeper during the match that will be played at the Noevir Stadium Kobe.
The session was marked by the prominent presence of Joan Laporta, president of the Catalan team, and Hiroshi Mikitani, president of the Japanese team and CEO of Rakuten, who played a fundamental role in resolving the setback that had affected the travel itinerary.
Laporta and Mikitani, protagonists in the solution of a key setback
In this context, it should be noted that this match had been suspended due to the contractual breach of the promoters and it was Rakuten who paid the remaining 5 million euros of the 15 'kilos' that Barça will earn for the three pre-season matches. In principle, that payment had to be made by the Yasuda Group.
However, Rakuten, the company that owns Vissel Kobe, maintained at all times the conviction that the match would take place as planned.
Proof of this is that the sale of tickets on the official website of the Japanese club was not suspended at any time, even though Barça even issued a statement explaining that it had suspended its participation in the match. As of today, there are still tickets available for fans who wish to attend.
Rakuten bet on the match against Barça to celebrate Vissel Kobe's 30th anniversary
In this order of ideas, Rakuten's firm interest in the match being played is thanks to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Vissel Kobe —former team of the culé legend Andrés Iniesta—, making the company chaired by Mikami intervene directly in the defaults.
Rakuten conditioned the payment to the fact that Barcelona first had to get on the plane to avoid further inconveniences. However, the parties ended up resolving the situation in the best way, which led to a détente with a desired ending for both the Catalan team and the Japanese team, that is, to play the match.
Thus, after the arrival of the Barça team in the Land of the Rising Sun, Mikami acted as host to Laporta, Rafa Yuste; Barça's sports vice president, and Alejandro Echeverria, in addition to the entire blaugrana expedition, leaving an image of total understanding between the parties.
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