KUALA LUMPUR: Super League and AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim have been invited by Spanish club Atletico Madrid to play a pre-season friendly next year.
The invitation was extended by Atletico majority shareholder Miguel Angel Gil Marin during JDT owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's visit to several European clubs over the last fortnight.
Tunku Ismail met top officials of Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Valencia, Real Madrid and Atletico to seek opportunities to establish partnerships with those clubs for the development of Johor football.
"Besides forging close ties with those clubs, this working trip has provided useful knowledge for JDT in various football aspects such as facilities, expertise, technicality, academy, marketing and many more," said Tunku Ismail in a statement posted on the Johor Southern Tigers' Facebook page today.
"For instance, my tour around the Valencia stadium and my visit to Barcelona's Sports City were very insightful and gave me new ideas to be implemented for our new stadium and sports city.
"Mr Gil Marin, in particular, surprised me when he invited JDT to Madrid to play against his club for 2017's pre-season.
"I believe the partnerships formed will greatly benefit the Southern Tigers in the future and ensure the progress of Johor football."
Tunku Ismail said he held talks with PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Barcelona club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, Valencia chairwoman Chan Lay Hoon and manager Gary Neville, Real president Florentino Perez and forward Cristiano Ronaldo among others.