● Completely new original and exclusive content created by FC Barcelona’s production studio gives unprecedented access to the private moments behind the team’s successes and challenges
● Premiers exclusively in Europe on Rakuten TV this November: eight 45-minute episodes
Barcelona, October 4, 2019 - Rakuten, Inc., FC Barcelona and Rakuten TV today announced the launch of Matchday – Inside FC Barcelona, an official FC Barcelona TV documentary series that follows the club through its 2018-2019 season, offering behind-the-scenes insights into what makes Barça “more than a club.”
Matchday – Inside FC Barcelona is a creation of Barça Studios, FC Barcelona’s own production house, in collaboration with Kosmos Studios, Rakuten, Inc. in association with Rakuten H Collective Studio and Producciones del Barrio.
As a main global partner of FC Barcelona since 2017 that is committed to inspiring people through the power of sport, Rakuten is uniquely positioned to present this new documentary to fans around the world.
The series is made up of eight episodes that follow the club and its players through milestones of the 2018-2019 season, casting new light on the culture and philosophy of Barça, one of the world’s most beloved football teams. The series offers viewers a no-holds-barred view of the club and players, following the team as they enjoy the excitement of victory and strive to overcome defeat.
Matchday also follows the players off the pitch, giving insights into their private lives, such as a barbeque at Luis Suárez’s house with Leo Messi and Jordi Alba; Gerard Piqué enjoying his free time together with his family; Marc-André ter Stegen designing his new house; and Ivan Rakitic cooking.
Matchday will delve into the most iconic scenes of select FC Barcelona matches of the past season, narrated by critically acclaimed actor John Malkovich, including milestones such as the “El Clásico” match against rivals Real Madrid, one of the most viewed sporting events in the world. Two episodes show how players prepare for the El Clásico, how they handle the pressure of this important event and their experience of the 90 minutes on the field of play.
The series will also feature contributions from different people who, through personal experiences, have become part of Barça. Examples of these are Rafa, the firefighter who, despite having lost his sight in an explosion, continues to attend Camp Nou when the club plays, and Andrey, a fan from Russia who follows FC Barcelona wherever they go.
Matchday will premier exclusively on Rakuten TV in Europe in November, to be followed by a Japan premiere and distribution globally by Rakuten through content partners.
ABOUT FC BARCELONA
FC Barcelona was founded in 1899, and is unique in many ways. The club is owned by its more than 145,000 members and can boast of being the most successful club in Europe over the last years. Since season 2004/05 they have won four of the Club’s five Champions League titles and ten of their 26 domestic league titles. Due to its very special personality, ‘Barça’ is recognized as being ‘more than a club’. The team’s distinctive style of play is projected around the world by the best players and coaches of their time in combination with club’s famous reliance on homegrown talent.
All of this goes hand in hand with its ongoing ambition to become the most admired, beloved and global sports institution on the planet. This mission is supported by such core principles as humility, effort, ambition, respect and team-work, while the club is also famed for its commitment to society, which is channeled through the FC Barcelona Foundation and its work to educate children through the positive values of sport. Such unstoppable growth in recent years has led to a global reach of more than 340 million fans and made FC Barcelona a world leader on social media.