The new La Liga season has begun, and the first two games have already been played. Girona suffered a 3-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano at home, while Villarreal won 2-0 against the promoted side Real Oviedo.
Villarreal has become unpopular among many football fans due to the proposed La Liga being played in Miami, which involves them against FC Barcelona. The Villarreal president is open to the game being played abroad despite heavy criticism from many football fans.
After Villarreal’s first game of the 2025-26 La Liga season, defender Rafa Marin was asked about the proposed match against Barca in Miami that is set to be scheduled for December.
The game is not officially planned to be played in the U.S., as approval from FIFA and UEFA is needed.
Marin gave an unpopular response after being asked if he and the rest of the Villarreal players were willing to play the match in the United States. In an interview with El Larguero, Marin says what the players will do if the proposed game is approved.
Rafa Marin: “The match in Miami? We are professionals. We play wherever LaLiga tells us, and that’s what we have to do. We have to focus on winning matches and doing it like we did today.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas did not shy away when asked about the proposed match in the U.S. The president intends to have a La Liga game being played abroad for the first time ever later this year.
Javier Tebas: “I am convinced that this will happen this season. The clubs themselves requested to play this match, and now we must go through UEFA and FIFA.”
A decision on whether the match between Villarreal and FC Barcelona in the U.S. is expected to be announced soon. Many fans are unsure whether the game will happen abroad, with some La Liga coaches and Real Madrid expressing to be against the idea.
