Barcelona have been exploring every avenue to boost revenues as Financial Fair Play restrictions continue to limit their spending flexibility.
The club’s reliance on marketing initiatives and high-profile friendlies has become a cornerstone of their mid-season strategy, with lucrative matches often serving as a vital financial lifeline.
Across Europe, several top clubs have increasingly used off-season and mid-season exhibition matches to generate cash while keeping squad members match-fit.
Barcelona’s commercial team has also leveraged global fanbases, targeting emerging football markets in South America and Asia to maximise exposure and income.
With several high-value deals already in place, the club has been keen to capitalise on opportunities that align with both financial goals and squad schedules.
Recent reports indicate that Barcelona were in advanced talks to stage a friendly against the Peruvian national team this December, a fixture reportedly worth €7-8 million.
The proposed match came after the club decided against a €5 million friendly in Libya during the October international break, marking an ambitious attempt to tap into South American markets.
However, according to SPORT, this planned encounter is now facing a significant hurdle linked to player welfare rules.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) enforces a collective bargaining agreement that guarantees players a minimum of five consecutive rest days during the Christmas period, with no official matches between December 23 and January 3.
Barcelona are scheduled to play their 17th La Liga match of the season against Villarreal on the weekend of December 20–21, creating a potential clash with AFE regulations if the team travels immediately afterwards.
While friendlies do not fall under the category of “official competitions,” the compressed timetable makes the Peru trip difficult to execute without breaching the recommended 72-hour rest period between matches.
Barcelona’s only feasible option would be to request La Liga to move the Villarreal fixture to Friday, December 19, allowing the squad to travel and play in Peru on Monday, December 22.
Any later league date would likely violate player welfare rules and could spark conflict with the AFE, an issue the club would prefer to avoid after previous cancellations, including the Miami match.
For now, the Peruvian friendly remains in limbo, with logistics and regulations threatening to derail what would have been a lucrative winter fixture for the Catalan giants.
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