At a Friday press conference, Flick was candid about the team’s sentiment. “My players are not happy, I am not happy, but La Liga decided that we will play this game,” he said, signaling clear tension between the club and the league’s decision.
The fixture, set for December 20, will see Barcelona face Villarreal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The match is part of La Liga’s effort to expand its presence in the U.S. sports market, a strategy defended by Barcelona president Joan Laporta. He described the game as a key opportunity to reach American fans and grow the league’s international profile.
However, players see it as an added burden amid an already demanding schedule. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong criticized the decision, highlighting the strain of long-distance travel and a congested playing calendar. Barcelona’s December trip precedes a short winter break and is followed by another international commitment: the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, beginning January 7.
Both Barcelona and Villarreal are competing in the Champions League this season, further compounding travel and fatigue concerns. La Liga president Javier Tebas has indicated that the league intends to make such international fixtures an annual feature, chartering planes to transport an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 Villarreal supporters to Florida, despite the logistical challenges.
Before the transatlantic journey, Barcelona is set to host Girona in a Spanish league match on Saturday, preparing to balance domestic commitments with the league’s growing international ambitions.