Barca interested to play in Bangladesh

DHAKA: Spanish football giant Barcelona is pushing for a game in Bangladesh next August, nearly two years after its top star Lionel Messi dazzled a huge crowd in the country's capital, officials said Wednesday.

Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin told AFP, that Barcelona has approached them with a proposal that they are willing to play in Bangladesh.

The Spanish league leader has sought three million euro ($4 million) as appearance fees, almost the same amount Bangladesh spent to host a friendly tie between the Messi-led Argentina national side and Nigeria in September 2011.

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said the authorities were eyeing different options to raise the fees and also looking for a strong opponent to face the Catalan side in Dhaka.

After cricket, football is the most popular sport in Bangladesh, with many waiting up until after midnight to watch English and Spanish league games.(AFP)