Crisis Averted: Barcelona’s Japan Friendly with Vissel Kobe Back on After Contract Dispute
A Rollercoaster in Asia: Why the Match Was Almost Called Off
The Reason the Match Was Nearly Cancelled: An Asian Roller Coaster
The preseason friendly between Barcelona and Japanese powerhouse Vissel Kobe, which was supposed to take place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, was canceled earlier this week. Due to significant contractual breaches by the match promoter, which included unpaid costs and broken guarantees, Barça canceled its involvement at the last minute, according to the club.
But in the course of a day, things took a complete turn. According to reports, the match was able to go ahead as scheduled because Rakuten, who previously supported Barça and owns Vissel Kobe, intervened to pay a €5 million debt that the promoter still owed.
Rapid Recovery: The Squad Begins to Take Off
After the contractual catastrophe caused a day’s delay in Barcelona’s departure, Hansi Flick’s 30-person delegation boarded a flight to Japan. Among the prominent absentees are Oriol Romeu, Pau Víctor, who is completing a transfer to Braga, and Marc-André ter Stegen, who is currently out due to a future back surgery.
What to anticipate on the field
At the Noevir Stadium in Kobe, Barcelona will take on a Vissel Kobe team that is in good form and fully healthy. After 24 games, they are now in first place in the J1 League. With Andrés Iniesta having spent his final playing years at Kobe, the matchup carries special symbolism for fans on both sides.
This pleasant encounter is the first of Barça’s Asia tour, which includes games against Daegu FC and FC Seoul in South Korea on July 31 and August 4, respectively, and the Trofeu Joan Gamper on August 10 in Spain.
Rising Stars and Lineup Watch
New signings Marcus Rashford (on loan from Manchester United, possibly making his debut) and goalkeeper Joan García have already arrived in Japan and could play in Sunday’s game.
Players from La Masia, such Lamine Yamal (who wears the number 10 jersey), Jofre Torrents, Guille Fernández, Toni Fernández, and others, are anticipated to be rotated throughout the game.
Behind the Headlines: Visualization Thread
Timeline for the tournament:
Vissel Kobe vs. Barcelona (Japan) on July 27
Barcelona vs. FC Seoul, July 31 (South Korea)
Daegu FC vs Barcelona (South Korea) – August 4
August 10 – Trofeu Joan Gamper vs. TBD (Return to Spain)
| Player | Role / Note |
|---|---|
| Marcus Rashford | New loan signing from Manchester United – potentially debuting |
| Joan García | Newly signed goalkeeper |
| Lamine Yamal | La Masia star sporting No. 10 |
| Young La Masia talents | Likely to get minutes in match for exposure |
The Importance of This
Managing contracts for Swiss cheese? As a result of a promoter default, Barcelona nearly gave up control over their preseason schedule.
Rakuten’s prompt intervention allowed Barça to salvage revenues (estimated at SEK 170M/€15M), fan events, and goodwill in a critical foreign market.
Despite being susceptible off the field, Barcelona’s talent, drive, and brand strength continue to stand out on it.
