Barcelona look to Hong Kong for success on and off the pitch

The soccer stars of FC Barcelona could soon follow the club's commercial operation to Hong Kong, its vice-president vowed as the team's first overseas office was officially opened in Central.

And Javier Faus said the Spanish giants would not be put off by a dismal attendance at the recent game between the Hong Kong national team and an Argentina side featuring Barca superstar Lionel Messi. The match was intended to celebrate the Hong Kong Football Association's centenary - but instead left the FA with a huge bill.

"[Next] year we'll definitely do a tour, and probably will be in Asia. And maybe [InvestHK] will help to have a game here," said Faus, who serves as the club's finance director. InvestHK, the government body promoting inward investment, helped attract Barca's Asian headquarters.

"When we sign a contract with a local partner, they take care of the stadium, ticketing and television rights. We come for a fee to the places that we go, and the local partner is in charge of everything else," he added.

Teams from the leading European leagues, including England and Spain, have played a growing number of games in Asia as they look to lure fans, sell merchandise and attract sponsors.

Barca, whose squad also includes Brazilian ace Neymar and several members of the Spain squad who won the 2010 World Cup, are following in the footsteps of Manchester United. United opened their Asian headquarters in Hong Kong in 2012.