LaLiga's love affair with South America

Passion for LaLiga in South America is on display season after season through the excitement generated by Spanish sides that have already visited seven countries, thanks to the LaLiga World tours which have brought the competition's finest to the South American continent for a third straight year.

On this occasion Bolivia is the chosen destination for RCD Espanyol's post-season tour, with the Catalan outfit touching down amid fanfare, for what will be a stay filled with local culture and passion for football in the shape of two friendlies against Club Blooming and Club Bolivar.

Espanyol's South American experience is not limited to Bolivia, having enjoyed a very special trip to Ecuador as part of last year's post-season tour. They are one of four teams in Spain's top flight to have packed their bags for Latin America. Valencia CF, RC Deportivo and Malaga CF have all felt the high level of fever pitch when LaLiga clubs come to town.

Los Che made the most of their opportunity to soak up the fervour surrounding the beautiful game in Peru and Chile two years ago, in the same period as the Galicians headed to Colombia, while Malaga's pre-season tour last year took them to Colombia, Uruguay and Argentina.
It is not only professionals who have left the LaLiga mark on South America. Future LaLiga stars also showcased their skills in the 2nd LaLiga Promises International Tournament in Barranquilla (Colombia).

The LFP World Challenge programme, which is running for the third straight year, is an ambitious project that aims to project the international image of all LaLiga clubs and contribute to the competition's expansion strategy.