When talk began circulating about a potential La Liga match being moved to the United States, many fans feared it could involve their own team.
Given the global appeal of clubs like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, speculation quickly grew that one of them would be selected to maximize commercial exposure of the league. Ultimately, the fixture chosen was Barcelona vs. Villarreal, with the match originally scheduled at the Estadio de la Cerámica now set to take place at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium.
UEFA has now given the green light to the proposal, clearing a major hurdle. With La Liga preparing to make the move official, only FIFA’s final approval remains, a formality that’s widely expected to be granted unless any last-minute objections arise.
While criticism has been relatively limited, opposition has come from notable quarters, including Real Madrid and the Spanish government. However, resistance now appears to be emerging from the players themselves, including at least one who is set to feature in the fixture, provided he is fit.
Opposition from a Barcelona star
Frenkie de Jong has risked the ire of Barcelona officials by publicly voicing his opposition to the proposed move, citing concerns over player welfare and the integrity of the competition.
"“I don’t like that we are going to play there and I don’t agree with this. It’s not fair for the competition. I don’t like it and I don’t think it’s good for the players. For the clubs it is to expand their brand worldwide. That’s probably what it’s all about. I understand the position, but I would not accept it and I do not share it. We always complain about the match schedule and the excess of travel."Frenkie de Jong
His stance will likely resonate with many Barcelona fans, who have long expressed skepticism about La Liga’s growing commercial ambitions. Season after season, supporters have worried that such ventures could see the club lose a home fixture to a U.S. venue, or even face the possibility of El Clásico being staged across the Atlantic to satisfy international demand.
Supporter groups from both clubs have launched petitions and staged protests at matches, urging their respective clubs to abandon the proposed plans. They even released a joint statement in collaboration with the Spanish football supporters' association, FASF, voicing their opposition.
This is where the balance of the move must be carefully considered. La Liga risks alienating its core fanbase in Spain in pursuit of greater commercial revenue from the United States, a market where enthusiasm may wane if these overseas fixtures become too frequent.
Frenkie will do no harm to his stature in the hearts of Los Cules by voicing his opposition, if anything, it may strengthen his bond with the fans as he looks to remain at the club for many more years.