Europe’s football giants set for friendly matches in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong
Japan and South Korea could also be on the itinerary as the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and AC Milan head to Asia this summer
THE end of the 2024/25 European football season is near, and the rumour mill is already in overdrive, with many of the continent’s top teams expected to fly to Asia to play some friendly matches in the summer.
If various media reports are to be believed, places such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong are likely to feature heavily in the travel plans of major clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United and AC Milan.
Some games could take place right after the season wraps up at the end of May, while most are expected to happen in the later part of July and early-August as part of the teams’ tune-ups for the next campaign.
Here are some of the European giants that could be making the long journey to different parts of Asia in the coming months.
AC Milan
One of Italy’s most successful teams, AC Milan, could be in Singapore in July as part of their pre-season tour. If they do, it is safe to say the National Stadium in Kallang will be packed with thousands of the Rossoneri’s supporters who have waited years to see their team visit the Lion City.
Milan’s current squad includes French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, American winger Christian Pulisic and Portuguese forward Joao Felix.
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It has been a mixed season for Milan so far. They are currently ninth in the Serie A league table and already eliminated from the Champions League. They do have the Italian Super Cup already in the bag, and they are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.
Arsenal
The Gunners may be visiting Singapore in July for the first time since 2018, when they took part in the International Champions Cup with Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.
Fans will be hoping Mikel Arteta brings his first-team stars such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
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Arsenal are second in the English Premier League (EPL), 13 points behind leaders Liverpool. Arteta’s side, however, are going strong in the Champions League and have one foot in the quarter-finals after defeating PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the first leg of their Round of 16 clash this week.
After Singapore, Arsenal are expected to fly to Hong Kong to play the first overseas North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the new 50,000-seater stadium at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon on July 31.
Newcastle United
Another English team that may come to Singapore is Newcastle. The Carabao Cup finalists are sixth in the EPL and have many exciting young players in their squad including Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
It has been nearly 30 years since the Magpies were last in town, when then-manager Kevin Keegan fielded a team boasting the likes of Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Faustino Asprilla against the S-League All-Stars. With new signing Alan Shearer watching from the sidelines, Newcastle won 5-0 in front of over 41,000 fans.
Manchester United
Things may be going pear-shaped for Manchester United of late, but the Red Devils – currently languishing in 14th place in the EPL – remain one of the world’s most popular and most supported clubs.
According to media reports, Ruben Amorim’s men are likely to head to Asia for two post-season friendly matches – one in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 and the second in Hong Kong a few days later. There is also talk of United embarking on a pre-season tour of the United States in July, although nothing has been confirmed yet.
Liverpool
By this summer, Liverpool could have as many as three trophies to show off to their supporters. They are flying high in the EPL, and are the favourites to add the Carabao Cup and the Champions League to their haul.
It was reported in February that the Reds will also be in Hong Kong to play AC Milan on July 26. This would be Liverpool’s first visit to Hong Kong since 2017. There is also some talk that Arne Slot’s team might fly to Japan to play a match there for the first time since 2005.
Tottenham Hotspur
Apart from that high-profile friendly with Arsenal in Hong Kong in end-July, Tottenham could also travel to South Korea where they are extremely popular thanks to captain Son Heung-min.
Tottenham have held their pre-season tours in Asia every year since 2018 (except for 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic). The Lillywhites are 13th in the EPL and still in contention in the Europa League.
Barcelona
Spanish powerhouses Barcelona will play as many as four pre-season friendly matches in Asia this summer, with a potential fifth game at the end of the current season in end-May. This fifth game will not take place if Barcelona reach the Champions League final on June 1.
Details are still sketchy at the moment, but it is believed that Barcelona will play two friendlies in Japan and two in South Korea.
Barcelona are top of the La Liga standings and boast a star-studded squad that includes Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Lamine Yamal.
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