Mayra Madrigal
Atlas was invited by the FC Barcelona to play the Joan Gamper Trophy, but the two-time Liga MX champion is likely to decline the invitation.
What Atlas has done in the last year in Liga MX has surprised more than one, and even in Spain they already know that they are two-time champions after having gone 70 years without winning a title.
Well, this feat caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who made a formal invitation to the red-and-black team to participate in the Joan Gamper Trophy match on August 6.
On an annual basis, the Catalan team always looks for an international rival to compete for the trophy, and on this occasion they set their sights on the “Zorros”.
FC Barcelona wants to play against Atlas
In Mexico the press assures that the invitation is a fact, but in Spain it is rumored that they were not the first option, but that they have been sought after Roma rejected the invitation.
Regardless of the situation, it is likely that the team coached by Diego Cocca will not be able to go to Barcelona on those dates, as the calendar for this semester is quite tight due to the Qatar 2022 World Cup to be played between November and December of this year, forcing the leagues to finish early.
It is said that the Mexican team is waiting for Liga MX to give them the green light to face Barcelona next time, but the situation seems to be more complex. In addition to the Apertura 2022 matches, the two-time Liga MX champion will take part in the Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup Showcase, and does not appear to be flexible with the dates.
The date given by Barcelona is August 6, but two days earlier, on August 4, the Guadalajara team will face Querétaro, and on the following matchday, August 13, the Clásico Tapatío is scheduled against Chivas.
There is still no confirmed negative answer, but some anticipate that the two-time champion will have to decline the invitation.
The previous Mexican team to compete with FC Barcelona for the Joan Gamper Trophy was Club León. The match took place on August 18, 2014, and ended with a score of 6-0, in favor of the Culés.
Rafael Márquez who starred for FC Barcelona, was part of the Emerald team, so once again a team that has a direct relationship with the former defender has been invited.
