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Barcelona Once Played Against Brazil In A Real Match Back In 1999 And It's So Bizarre

Barcelona Once Played Against Brazil In A Real Match Back In 1999 And It's So Bizarre

Barcelona hosted Brazil at the Nou Camp in a strange club vs country fixture.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

On 28 April 1999, one of the most unusual games took place when Barcelona and Brazil played against one another.

You'd normally only get to see the fantasy football fixture played out on FIFA games but 22 years ago, the club vs country match happened to mark 100 years since Barcelona were formed as a club.

The centenary match was a star-studded affair. Managed by Louis van Gaal, Luis Figo, Luis Enrique, Pep Guardiola (captain), Bolo Zenden and Patrick Kluivert all started for the Blaugrana.

A young Xavi Hernandez was on the bench.

But Brazil's team was also brimming with world-beaters. Ronaldo and Romario had both been irresistibly good for Barcelona in previous years, and now playing for Inter Milan and Flamengo respectively, they returned to Catalonia in Selecao colours.

Completing the dream front three was Rivaldo, contracted to Barcelona but turning out for his country rather than his club on this occasion.

The likes of Roberto Carlos, Rogerio Ceni and Emerson were all present.

The opening goal of the 2-2 draw was scored by Ronaldo, who rounded the goalkeeper in archetypal fashion and wheeled away in celebration. 'R9' was clearly overjoyed to have scored against his former side.

Luis Enrique equalised but then Rivaldo, Ballon d'Or winner that year, put Brazil back in the lead with a thunderous left-footed strike. He would then celebrate by lifting up his yellow jersey and revealing a message on a shirt underneath.

Phillip Cocu notched the equaliser after Rogerio Ceni spilled a free-kick from Figo, with the spoils shared in the once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.

Figo and Ronaldo, who would go on to become teammates for Real Madrid, swapped shirts and embraced at the end of the game.

Image: FC Barcelona
Image: FC Barcelona

Can you think of any high-profile club vs country games? Sound off in the comments.

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Topics: Football, Rivaldo, Barcelona, Ronaldo, Brazil