Starting next season, Barcelona players will wear training shirts with the message “DR Congo – Heart of Africa” on the back, following a newly signed four year partnership with the central African nation.
Though the club has not officially disclosed the financial terms, reports say the Democratic Republic of Congo will spend 44 million euros on the agreement.
The announcement has brought up many criticism among some Congolese citizens, who argue the government should focus on pressing issues at home, particularly the country’s struggling domestic football league, which has long suffered from a lack of funding, rather than investing outside the country.
In response, officials have defended the move, stating that the partnership is meant to elevate the country’s global image, which may inturn bring improvement to the country’s football team.
As part of the agreement, Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium is set to host an “immersive exhibition” designed to highlight the cultural richness and sporting legacy of the DR Congo.
