FC Barcelona have returned to Japan after an absence of six years. As on their last visit in 2019, Kobe is the city that has welcomed the blaugranes to the country with a welcome dinner at the team hotel in the city. Present were president Joan Laporta, first vice president Rafael Yuste, treasurer Ferran Olivé and directors Miquel Camps, Xavier Puig, Àngel Riudalbàs, Joan Solé, Joan Soler and Sisco Pujol. 

Also present were first team players Ronald Araujo, Frenkie de Jong and Raphina, as well as Hiroshi Mikitani, founder and CEO of Rakuten and president of Vissel Kobe, Barça's opponents on Sunday in the team's first game of preseason. 

Joan Laporta: “We are proud to be here”

During a speech, Barça president Joan Laporta paid tribute to the warm welcome FC Barcelona have received once again on their arrival in Japan. "In the name of FC Barcelona I can say that it is an honour to form part of the gala for the 30th anniversary of Vissel Kobe, especially in memory of the victims of the earthquake," said Laporta in reference to the natural disaster that struck Kobe in 1995 and killed more than 6,000 people. That same year Vissel Kobe were founded as a result of an agreement with Kawasaki Steel to move from Kurashiki to Kobe. 

"We feel admiration and respect for this resilient and cosmopolitan city, and from Barcelona we have followed closely Vissel Kobe's progress, with players such as Iniesta and Boja [present at the event]. We are proud to be here, it's fundamental for us to be here, close to the fans we have in Japan," continued the Barça president. 

Meeting with Japan's Supporters' Clubs 

Before the welcome dinner and the team's training session, there was an institutional meeting with the Penya FC Barcelona Japan and the Penya Blaugrana Shanghai. The event also took place at the FC Barcelona team hotel and was attended by president Joan Laporta, first vice president Rafael Yuste and board members Miquel Camps, Xavier Puig and Joan Soler.

Aside from mascot CAT, other main attendees were 60 Supporters' Clubs members, 30 from each ground, represented by Hiroki Nakano and Ping Wu, respective presidents of the Penya FC Barcelona Japan and the Penya Blaugrana Shanghai. 

 

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