Barcelona Want to Launch Women's Football Team in USA, Says Josep Maria Bartomeu
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has outlined plans for the club to set up a women's football team in the United States.
The LaLiga side opened offices in New York earlier this week, and Bartomeu was present for the unveiling. During another discussion with Barca TV (via the club's official website), he suggested a franchise could be possible.
The Barca boss said their aim is to "create a team that can take part in the National Women's Soccer League," as it's something "that will help us to promote the club."
Additionally, Bartomeu suggested Barcelona want to set up a futsal side that can go up against local competitors.
Here's a look at what Bartomeu had to say in more detail:
Barcelona recently re-signed Brazilian star Ronaldinho as a club ambassador, and he was also in the iconic city to open the new office. Here's a clip from the club's Twitter feed of him in situ:
In Spain, Barcelona have a team competing in the women's Primera Division, and while Athletic Bilbao were crowned champions last season, the previous four campaigns saw the Blaugrana win four successive titles.
While the Catalan club have enjoyed a lot of success with their women's team, not all of Spanish football's biggest sides have a side set up, the most notable of which is Real Madrid.
The National Women's Soccer League is regarded as the highest standard of domestic women's football in the world. The division was formed in 2012, and there are 10 competing teams currently, with FC Kansas City the most successful side in the competition's history.
