FC Barcelona arrives in Seoul for pre-season tour

Spanish La Liga champion FC Barcelona arrived in Seoul on Monday as part of its pre-season tour in Asia to play a friendly against the K-league all-star team on Wednesday at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Argentinean international Lionel Messi and Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic are among the 28-man squad that will spend three days in Seoul before heading to China. 

“I’m a bit surprised to see so many Korean fans at the airport. I didn’t expect that many and they were wearing Barcelona’s uniform,” said the Barcelona striker. 

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, the 23-year-old Messi said that he expects that Wednesday’s game will be a good game in preparation for a new season.

“I feel extremely tired after a long-haul flight. But I’m sure I’ll get ready for the game,” he added. “I believe we’re the best club in the world. We’ll prove ourselves on Wednesday."