Barcelona's Gerard Piqué revealed during his Wednesday press conference that he and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos are "currently working on a business project together, one which is set to be announced shortly," according to MARCA. Piqué was reportedly referring to "Power to the Players," which could be similar to "The Players' Tribune," whose contributors have included Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic. It seems that Piqué and Ramos "are now launching a European-based version" (MARCA, 10/4). In Barcelona, Francesc Aguilar reported Piqué "is finalizing an esports business" in which Lionel Messi will be a partner and shareholder. Chelsea's Cesc Fàbregas "and various other well-known footballers whose identities will be revealed in late October will also be involved." The "idea of the project is an esports league in which Piqué and his associates would have their own team" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 10/5).
THE MESSI EXPERIENCE: In Barcelona, Toni Juanmartí wrote the Messi Experience Park "will be a virtual trip that will unite football and technology like never before." That is how Mediapro President Jaume Roures and Mediapro Exhibitions Dir David Xirau described the theme park devoted to Messi. The MEP will open in '20 in Nanjing, China. The MEP will cover nearly 80,000 square meters and feature 20 themed attractions "in which Messi will not be the only protagonist." Xirau: "It is a tribute to football in general. ... Young people do not go to museums. They want other experiences, and we offer them" (SPORT, 10/5).