FC Barcelona: 10 fans invited to be "virtual mascots" for the match versus Getafe on 29/08/2021

FC Barcelona (LaLiga Santander) and its major partner Rakuten offered ten fans from around the world the opportunity to become the club's "virtual mascots" for the match versus Getafe CF (2-1 victory for Barça) on Sunday 29/08/2021.

"Each mascot was asked to submit a video message of support for the team via the Rakuten Viber app. Their videos get played on the big screen at the stadium in the lead up to the match," said Barcelona ahead of the match. In England, Leeds United FC (Premier League) and Fulham FC (Sky Bet Championship) have also set up similar initiatives during the 2020-21 season to compensate for the absence of fans in their stadiums while games were being played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The 10 'Virtual mascots', listed below, herald from 8 countries across 3 continents, illustrating the global appeal and fanbase of Barça. Additionally, the mascots' videos will appear on the club's website, social media channels and the club's Barça Live pre-match show which airs exclusively on Barça TV+," said FC Barcelona at the time.

• Rakuten, a Japanese…