Barca Fans Hope for Historic Midfield Reunion in Japan. As FC Barcelona edge closer to clinching their first La Liga title since 2018 and the first under their manager Xavi Hernandez, some supporters are hoping for a nostalgic treat in Japan this summer.
The Catalan giants will travel to the Land of the Rising Sun for a friendly match against Vissel Kobe on June 6, just three days after their final league game against Celta Vigo.
The match will be a special occasion for Barca legend Andres Iniesta, who is set to bid farewell to Vissel Kobe after four years with the Japanese club. The 37-year-old midfielder left Barca in 2018 after a glittering career that saw him win 32 trophies with the Blaugrana and the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.
Another Barca icon who could be playing his last game for the club is Sergio Busquets, who announced earlier this week that he will leave Camp Nou at the end of the season. The 33-year-old defensive midfielder has been a key figure for Barca and Spain for over a decade, winning 30 trophies with his club and the same international honors as Iniesta.
Some fans have suggested that Barca should honor their legendary midfield trio of Iniesta, Busquets and Xavi by letting them play together one more time in Japan. The three players formed the backbone of Barca’s most successful era under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique, as well as Spain’s golden generation under Vicente del Bosque.
Xavi, who retired from playing in 2019 after spending four years with Al-Sadd in Qatar, is now back at Barca as their head coach. He still looks fit enough to lace up his boots and join his former teammates on the pitch for at least a half.
It would be a fitting tribute to three of the greatest midfielders of all time, who mesmerized fans with their sublime skills, vision and passing. It would also be a rare treat for the Japanese audience, who would surely appreciate seeing Iniesta play for both teams in his farewell appearance.
The chances of this happening are slim, but it is a nice fantasy for Barca fans to cherish.
