Barcelona’s preseason match against Juventus in Santa Clara, California, was canceled due to several Barcelona players falling sick. The club issued a statement just hours before the scheduled friendly at Levi’s Stadium, explaining that a “significant part of the squad has a viral gastroenteritis.”
This unexpected turn of events comes as a blow to Barcelona, who were hoping to use the match as a preparation for the upcoming season. However, the health and well-being of the players must take priority, and the decision to cancel the match was made in their best interest.
Barcelona’s preseason schedule includes several other high-profile matches, including games against Arsenal in Los Angeles, Real Madrid in Dallas, and AC Milan in Las Vegas. These matches will still go ahead as planned, provided the players recover in time.
The news of Barcelona’s canceled match comes amidst other soccer-related events, such as the record-breaking viewership of the United States’ victory over Vietnam in the Women’s World Cup. The match drew an impressive 6.26 million viewers, making it the most-watched soccer telecast in the United States since last year’s men’s World Cup final. This demonstrates the growing popularity and interest in women’s soccer.
Unfortunately, not all soccer-related news is positive. A man has been charged with arson after small fires broke out at the downtown hotel where New Zealand’s national team is staying for the Women’s World Cup. This incident serves as a reminder of the security challenges faced by teams and organizers during major sporting events.
In terms of player retirements, former Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi has announced his retirement from soccer. Rossi’s career was hampered by severe injuries, but he leaves a lasting impression on the sport.
Meanwhile, in the transfer market, English Premier League team Aston Villa has made a significant signing. They have acquired France international Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported transfer fee of 55 million euros. This demonstrates Aston Villa’s ambition to strengthen their squad ahead of the upcoming season.
Overall, while the cancellation of Barcelona’s preseason match is unfortunate, the health of the players must always be prioritized. Soccer continues to captivate audiences around the world, with record-breaking viewership and significant transfers taking place.
