Real Madrid 'passes' on playing LaLiga in the USA, but welcomes the NFL

Real Madrid issued a statement expressing its disagreement with the organization of the match of matchday 17 of LaLiga EA Sports 25/26 between Villareal and FC Barcelona in Miami. However, the 'Blanco' club approved the realization of the NFL (American football) match between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders on November 16.

The 'merengue' team argued that the match between the 'Yellow Submarine' and the blaugrana club could not be played on American territory because “it violates the essential principle of territorial reciprocity that governs league competitions with home and away matches, altering the competitive balance and granting an undue sporting advantage to the applicant clubs.”

Real Madrid, happy to welcome the NFL, but against playing in the USA

Additionally, the 'Casa Blanca' alleges that the clubs participating in the competition were not consulted beforehand. On the other hand, Florentino Pérez, at the presentation of the match between the Dolphins and the Commanders, explained that it is a great honor that a competition like the NFL has chosen the Santiago Bernabéu to become its home.

In addition, he assured that it is a pride for the Madrid fans and for the Spanish people that they can transmit to the world what American football represents in the United States. However, the Dolphins fans in Miami will not be able to enjoy one of their team's matches in the NFL either, due to the transfer of their team to the Spanish capital.

Exactly the same thing that the 'merengue' team criticizes regarding the Villarreal-Barça, but come on. As long as the club's coffers are favored, the principle of competitive balance does not count.

LaLiga already tried to take Barça to the United States in 2024

This is not the first time that LaLiga has tried to organize a match outside of Spain. Last year, there was progress for the match of matchday 18 of LaLiga EA Sports 24/25 to be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami between FC Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.

In this match, Barça was going to be the local team, but due to time limitations, the event was suspended. The RFEF did not activate the request to the Higher Sports Council (CSD) at the appropriate time. At that time, Real Madrid did not raise a complaint regarding this possibility of holding this match in the United States.

Real Madrid refused to allow the Girona – Barça match to be played in Miami in 2018

Seven years ago, Liga planned to organize the Girona-Barça match for matchday 21 of the 18/19 season in Miami, but FIFA did not authorize the match to be played outside of Spanish soil.

Once the possibility of playing the duel between Catalans abroad was known, Real Madrid sent a letter to the RFEF, where it expressed that the match “could affect the integrity and equality of the competition.” Additionally, the white team questioned that this decision was not informed to the clubs in advance. Identical scenario to this year.

Now, the final decision is again in the hands of FIFA. Barça and Villarreal have already given the green light for a match that would be played on December 20 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. In fact, the board of directors of the 'Yellow Submarine' promises to pay for the trip of its members to American soil if, finally, the match is played.