I was watching some highlights of that international exhibition match from earlier, and it got me thinking about how much weight we put on these high-profile friendlies. On one hand, it’s great to see top-tier clubs traveling halfway across the world to build their brand and give local fans a chance to see legends in person. It feels like a massive event for the host city.
But on the other hand, I can't help but feel like a lot of these matches are just glorified marketing stunts. The intensity isn't always there, the stakes feel non-existent, and sometimes it just feels like a way to squeeze money out of a loyal fanbase. I remember seeing a huge club play a local side a few years back, and the atmosphere was just... off. It felt like a training session with better lighting.
That said, seeing a massive underdog push a giant to the absolute limit during a non-competitive game is always a blast to watch. It proves that on any given day, the gap between the "elites" and everyone else isn't as wide as the trophy cabinets suggest.
Do you guys think these big international tours are actually good for the sport, or are they just overpriced exhibitions?
But on the other hand, I can't help but feel like a lot of these matches are just glorified marketing stunts. The intensity isn't always there, the stakes feel non-existent, and sometimes it just feels like a way to squeeze money out of a loyal fanbase. I remember seeing a huge club play a local side a few years back, and the atmosphere was just... off. It felt like a training session with better lighting.
That said, seeing a massive underdog push a giant to the absolute limit during a non-competitive game is always a blast to watch. It proves that on any given day, the gap between the "elites" and everyone else isn't as wide as the trophy cabinets suggest.
Do you guys think these big international tours are actually good for the sport, or are they just overpriced exhibitions?