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BARCELONA super-fans were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with stars including Philippe Coutinho and Andres Iniesta.

But thanks to an elaborate "virtual reality" stunt, set-up by Betfair, the clueless supporters had absolutely no idea.

 Barcelona fans took part in a virtual reality drill... that was in fact just reality
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Barcelona fans took part in a virtual reality drill... that was in fact just realityCredit: Betfair
 Barcelona fans played along with the club stars without even realising it
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Barcelona fans played along with the club stars without even realising itCredit: Betfair

The concept was simple - imagine if Barca’s players could train for upcoming matches by practising against virtual versions of the opposition.

The fans were told that this technology was in development and a long way off being ready for testing on the players.

As such, were giving the fans early access to this technology, to help iron out the bugs in the virtual playing experience.

The supporters were then told they would be playing against virtual versions of Barcelona’s superstars when testing the Virtual Training Ground VR headsets.

 Andres Iniesta was just one Barcelona star to take part in the Betfair stunt
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Andres Iniesta was just one Barcelona star to take part in the Betfair stuntCredit: Betfair
 Fans took part in the 'virtual reality' drill, blissfully unaware of the truth
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Fans took part in the 'virtual reality' drill, blissfully unaware of the truthCredit: Betfair

But in the reality, they were playing against the Barca superstars in the flesh, without even realising it.

The fans were coached through the experience by a "sports scientist", part of the Barcelona coaching team, who was on hand to convince the fans of the ruse.


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Meanwhile body doubles for the players stepped in, as a team of experts pretended to projection-map the players onto their bodies.

When the fans were not wearing the headset, they saw the motion-capture body doubles.

 Barcelona fans had no idea they were playing with the likes of Philippe Coutinho
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Barcelona fans had no idea they were playing with the likes of Philippe CoutinhoCredit: Betfair
 The stunt, put on by Betfair, tricked fans into believing they were taking part in a virtual reality experience, with an amazing twist in the tale
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The stunt, put on by Betfair, tricked fans into believing they were taking part in a virtual reality experience, with an amazing twist in the taleCredit: Betfair

But when they were wearing it, they saw the professional footballing superstars, but were so convinced of the new technology they believed what they were seeing were incredibly life-like virtual versions of their heroes.

When the trick was finally revealed to the unsuspecting fans they were gobsmacked and couldn’t believe what they were really seeing, the Barcelona superstars in the very flesh.

One lucky fan said: “I couldn’t believe it, mind-blowing! I never thought I’d get to meet the players, never mind get to practice my passing with them.”

 Philippe Coutinho took part in the stunt, much to fans' delight
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Philippe Coutinho took part in the stunt, much to fans' delightCredit: Betfair

Stephen Mault, Betfair marketing director said “At Betfair we are always looking for for the next innovation.

"Virtual Reality has been at the forefront of our mind, although it’s a little while away, we wanted to demonstrate what football could look like in the future, with the help of three lucky fans and the players.

"We always like to give back to the Barcelona fans and it was amazing to see the reactions when they took off their headsets to see the real players right before their eyes.”

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