After going through severe medical setbacks that forced them to cancel the match against Juventus, the Fútbol Club Barcelona players have already made their debut in the 2023/24 preseason. It was at the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on the outskirts of Los Angeles; where the Catalan team measured forces against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. It was not a positive game for the fans, ending with a defeat (5-3), but it did leave some outstanding moments.
One of them occurred in the run-up to the meeting, when several members of the squad shared a moment with one of the most recognized couples in Hollywood: Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem. The duo of Spanish actors came to the stadium to witness the duel between the Catalans and the Gunners, when they were presented with a joint photograph and a very special gift: the club's second kit for this season.
Cruz and Bardem posed with Marc André ter Stegen, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Pedri with the grass in the background, as well as the spectacular video scoreboard that hangs from the ceiling, a ring-shaped screen that uses the largest number of LED lights in a sports or entertainment arena. As if that weren't enough, the interpreters received a special box containing the new Barça shirt, white.
A shirt that has raised suspicions among some Barça fans, but with which Javier Bardem had no problem posing victorious. This second kit is completely white, except for blue and scarlet details on the edges of the sleeves. On the chest is the shield that the team used without interruption from 1975 to the 2002/03 season, and according to promotional materials it represents a tribute to the figure of Johann Cruyff.
Beyond this meeting with two of the most recognized Spanish actors in Hollywood, Barça is not going through a very positive American tour. As we mentioned previously, the first match against Juventus had to be suspended. The reason was a viral gastroenteritis that affected a dozen members of the expedition. The symptoms dissipated over the weekend, allowing them to play against Arsenal.
A game in which Xavi Hernández's men finished the ninety minutes with a defeat by five goals to three. The duel was a constant tug-of-war in the first half, with Lewandowski and Raphinha respectively ahead of the Catalans, before Saka and Nketiah equalized. In the second half the English came out more active and escaped on the scoreboard with two goals from Trossard. Ferran Torres and Fábio Vieira completed the image.
