Why Barcelona and Man City played a friendly in middle of the season

A mid-week clash between two European heavyweights would largely be reserved for the Champions League but on Wednesday night, Barcelona and Manchester City faced each other in a friendly match, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
The timing and the purpose of the match raised quite a few eyebrows, given that it is not usual for teams to play a friendly game in the middle of a league season. This game, however, went beyond footballing reasons.

Highlights from a great game with a greater cause! 🙌#ManCity | @FundacionLuzon pic.twitter.com/FBmzQCDYyQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 24, 2022
This game was played to raise funds to support the research for the cure to ALS disease. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a degenerative-neuro disease that has no cure at present and has life expectancy of four to five years.

91,062 THANK YOUS 🙌 pic.twitter.com/J4uYUmCOgO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 24, 2022
In 2020, Juan Carlos Unzue, a former Barcelona assant manager and a close friend of Pep Guardiola, the ex-manager of the Catalan giants who is now in charge of Manchester City, was diagnosed with ALS.

❝If you have the opportunity to help someone, you need to do it❞
🗣 Xavi pic.twitter.com/tGPuwuPfV6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 24, 2022
In emotional scenes Camp Nou, Unzue kicked off the match in front of 91,062 fans and even addressed the Barcelona players in the dressing room.

🎥 Barça 3-3 Manchester CityThe fight against ALS won tonight 💚 pic.twitter.com/9bv34O4Kjl
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 25, 2022
“I thank Barcelona and Manchester City first. I want to thank everyone who came here, everyone who bought a ticket, and everyone who donates. Everyone who is fighting against the disease,” the former Barcelona player was quoted as saying the Spanish media.
Guardiola said post-match: “The art here is Unzué, who made this possible, because of his stubbornness and all his people pushing and pushing to do it. It’s been a beautiful summer night, the stadium was full, and it was a fun game, six goals, chances for both sides. Congratulations.”

The two clubs will now shift focus to their domestic leagues. Barcelona, coached Xavi, are two games into their La Liga campaign, having drawn one and won one.
Although unbeaten in three matches, Manchester City dropped points for the first time this season after they were held to a 3-3 draw Newcastle United.