South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan and Mamelodi Sundowns boss Patrice Motsepe will be guests of honour during Sunday’s El Classico encounter between champions Barcelona who have just won their seventh LaLiga title in 10 years and Real Madrid the UEFA Champions League finalists for the third time in a row.

Real Madrid will face Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final in Kiev, Ukraine.

The two South African football leaders will join international football elite in Barcelona, Spain for the showdown on Sunday. They will be accompanied to Spain by LaLiga Africa director, Antonio Barradas.

SAFA under the leadership of Dr Jordaan has built strong ties with Spanish football since Spain won their first FIFA World Cup title at FNB Stadium in July 2010.

This was strengthened with Dr Jordaan signing a Cooperation Agreement with La Liga.

Grassroots football has benefitted immensely through this partnership. This program has also supported SAFA Regions and various Local Football Associations (LFAs).

Among beneficiaries of the program are LFAs in Kuruman, Grahamstown, Meadowlands, Alex and Ladysmith among various LFAs.

During the SAFA delegation’s visit last year to the Spanish capital, the Nelson Mandela Centenary celebration were discussed with the LaLiga showing great interest in being part of celebrations in honour of South Africa’s Father of the Nation.

SAFA wants to deepen and strengthen this relationship and this invitation provides the platform for this engagement.

The Barcelona/Real Madrid match has generated a lot of interest with Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insisting this week that there will be no guard of honour for Barcelona winning the league title adding Barca’s achievement on the domestic front was less than the UEFA Champions League.