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Barcelona's Pep Guardiola allows stars Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Dani Alves to 'experience Japan' ahead of Club World Cup semifinal with Al Sadd
Barca's carefree attitude was in stark contrast to that of Santos, which is avoiding Japanese food during their Club World Cup sojourn out of concern for the players health
Dec 13, 2011 6:50:00 AM
By Dan Orlowitz
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No matter how many trophies Barcelona have won, even their players must sometimes rely on public transportation. This became apparent on Monday after midfielder Andres Iniesta posted a photo of himself riding the Tokyo Metro's Ginza line on his personal Twitter account.
In the team's press conference, coach Pep Guardiola revealed that he told his players to go out and experience the best that Japan's capital has to offer.
"I want to give the players as much free time as possible to relax," Guardiola told a packed hall of reporters. "Hopefully they will at least be able to sight-see around Tokyo."
Iniesta appeared to be the first to post a photo, yet despite playing for the world's most successful club at present, he appeared to be almost anonymous. Japanese social media buzzed with reports that Lionel Messi was seen at a large electronics store in Yokohama, while defender Daniel Alves was spotted in the trendy Omotesando district of Tokyo.
"We have good Japanese restaurants in Barcelona," added Guardiola during the press conference, "but I want the players to experience the real thing."
The attitude is markedly different from that of Brazilian club Santos, who are having all of their meals prepared by team nutritionist Sandra Merouco.
"[Santos] are not going for tourism, it is work," she said in an interview last week.
Barcelona will take on Asian Champions League winners Al Sadd on Thursday night at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama in the semi-finals, while in the other clash Santos face J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol.
In the team's press conference, coach Pep Guardiola revealed that he told his players to go out and experience the best that Japan's capital has to offer.
"I want to give the players as much free time as possible to relax," Guardiola told a packed hall of reporters. "Hopefully they will at least be able to sight-see around Tokyo."
Iniesta appeared to be the first to post a photo, yet despite playing for the world's most successful club at present, he appeared to be almost anonymous. Japanese social media buzzed with reports that Lionel Messi was seen at a large electronics store in Yokohama, while defender Daniel Alves was spotted in the trendy Omotesando district of Tokyo.
"We have good Japanese restaurants in Barcelona," added Guardiola during the press conference, "but I want the players to experience the real thing."
The attitude is markedly different from that of Brazilian club Santos, who are having all of their meals prepared by team nutritionist Sandra Merouco.
"[Santos] are not going for tourism, it is work," she said in an interview last week.
Barcelona will take on Asian Champions League winners Al Sadd on Thursday night at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama in the semi-finals, while in the other clash Santos face J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol.
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