BEIJING - Primera Liga champions FC Barcelona is set to play Chinese Super League champions Beijing Guoan at the Bird's Nest here on August 8 to mark the two-year anniversary of Beijing Olympics.
An agreement was signed on Tuesday afternoon in Barcelona between the Primera Liga giants and Beijing Shibo International Sports Company.
According to the agreement, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will bring all his first-line stars including top scorer Lionel Messi to Beijing.
Xia Haifeng, general manager of the Beijing company, told Xinhua on telephone that the signing ceremony was held at the Nou Camp stadium and was attended by Barcelona CEO Joan Oliver.
Xia quoted Oliver as saying that all the key players were confirmed to go to Beijing and to show their best at the Bird's Nest.
Oliver said that this special trip embodies the strong connection of the two cities.
Wu Jingjun, general manager of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) company, told Xinhua on Tuesday night that the turf of the field has been upgraded and the organization of the Barcelona-Beijing Guoan friendly will match the standard of the Olympic Games.
On August 8, 2009, the Italian Super Cup final between Inter Milan and Lazio was played at the Bird's Nest to mark the one-year anniversary of Beijing Olympics.