Thursday, 8th February 2007 at 8:21 pm

Barcelona: now showing in SA

Real Madrid might still be top of Deloitte’s football rich list with revenue of just over 200 million pounds, but with another modest season, the Galactico era on the wane, and Fabio Capello’s coaching job in serious jeopardy, it’s the Catalans who’re very much the in thing in Spanish football. And as European champions, Barcelona can also claim to be the continent’s biggest football brand - and with Deloitte ranking Barca second behind Madrid in their list (up from fourth), Frank Rikjaard’s side is flying.

Further evidence of their global comes in the form of SuperSport’s latest purchase: the rights to Barca TV, a twice-weekly, three-hour long show that promises behind the scenes footage on Ronaldinho working on his perm, Deco taking the dogs for a walk, and Samuel Eto’o watering the garden. MaXimo (not a Spanish hip hop artist, but the new name for SuperSport Eight) will show the world’s second richest club from 10pm on Mondays and Thursdays; with a Champions League title to defend in the coming months, there’ll be plenty to keep an eye on at Barcelona - and plenty to envy if you’re trying to fashion a side out of fading superstars in Madrid.

Read the Deloitte football money list report.