Atletico in talks for SAR visit to face Kitchee

Marco Lam

Spanish football giants Atletico Madrid will be playing against local side Kitchee in August in Hong Kong as part of their pre-season friendly fixtures, according to sources.

Spanish media reported that the three-time Champions League runners-up could travel to China, Hong Kong and Sweden for their pre-season preparations, with the Hong Kong friendly set for August 7.

Yet the match date remains uncertain after reports that a proposed mainland friendly tournament comprising Atletico, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan ran into difficulties.

Atletico could still juggle their schedule as they look for alternative fixtures in Asia; however, sources said Atletico remain committed to their early-August Hong Kong friendly against Kitchee.

Meanwhile, football fans in the city will certainly be concerned whether star players from the Spanish side would feature in the friendly, following the "Lionel Messi drama" in February that saw the Argentine superstar remain on the bench throughout MLS side Inter Miami's exhibition match against at Hong Kong Stadium.

Spanish sports website Relevo suggested earlier that star players such as Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo de Paul and Alvaro Morata could still be on vacation following their involvement in Euro 2024 and Copa America.

Other players could also be competing at the Paris Olympics in August and have yet to report back to the squad.

The last time elites from Europe visited the SAR was in 2019 when Manchester City made a stop during their pre-season tour, also facing Kitchee.

City stars Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva all saw action as the English Premier League powerhouse thrashed the home team 6-1.

marco.lam@singtaonewscorp.com