SPANISH soccer powerhouse Barcelona will open a soccer academy in Haikou, Hainan Province, joining hands with Chinese sports and leisure company Mission Hills Group.

    The two sides announced their cooperation in Haikou on Friday, with Barcelona ambassador Ronaldinho present.

    The former Barcelona star said: “I come from a footballing family, and my father and uncles were players. I still remember the lessons they taught me — about how to play football and how to be a good sportsman and a good person. I’m sure the academy here in Hainan will be as important to its students as my early coaches were to me. I look forward to interacting with the young players here and seeing some of them on the global stage in years to come.”

    In recognition of its size and importance, the soccer academy in Haikou will be the first overseas academy directly managed by FC Barcelona (FCB).

    “FC Barcelona is delighted to be able to support the growth of the beautiful game in China and help you reach your goal of making this a great footballing nation,” said Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FCB.

    The historic partnership will also bring FCB closer to its fans in the region. The club is a pioneer of international soccer in Asia. It was the first club to open an office in Hong Kong in 2014 and today counts 14 Asian companies among its sponsors.

    The academy will be staffed by Barcelona coaches and will follow the same training methods used by the Barcelona youth teams. It will have seven soccer pitches and will eventually be able to enroll 1,000 boys and girls aged between 6 and 18 years. The school opens its doors to its first students this summer, with its first full season training beginning in September.

    Barcelona has transformed world soccer with a unique style of play that is much loved by fans. Bringing this style to the world, Barcelona is very active in developing soccer globally, with 25 overseas soccer schools offering training based on its methodology and values.

    Barcelona’s youth academy and professional training programs are recognized as world-leading. Some of the game’s biggest current stars, including Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique, have come up through the club’s training programs from a very young age.

    The club also holds the record for the most players with Ballon d’Or awards, with eleven, and the most FIFA World Player of the Year awards, with seven.

    Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho played for Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, winning the FIFA World Player of the Year in both 2004 and 2005 and the Ballon d’Or in 2005.

    Barca and Mission Hills also opened Friday an interactive Barcelona experience area in Mission Hills Centreville Haikou.

    (SD News)