Premier League duo support Villarreal vs Barcelona being played in US – ‘Not bad for La Liga’ | OneFootball

In recent days, Barcelona’s upcoming La Liga clash against Villarreal, proposed to be held in the United States, has become one of the most talked-about topics in Spanish football. A

fter weeks of speculation, debates, and mixed opinions, UEFA finally gave the green light for the match to be played in Miami on 20 December, which is a landmark decision that marks a new chapter in La Liga’s global expansion.

For years, Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has been pushing for a league fixture to take place on American soil, aiming to grow the league’s visibility and commercial footprint abroad.

This time, it seems his efforts have paid off. The fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona will now serve as the competition’s first-ever official match to be hosted in the United States, marking a major step forward in the globalisation of Spanish football.

What do the Spanish players think?

Interestingly, the decision has not been free from controversy. Several coaches, clubs, and players have voiced opposition to the idea of taking league matches away from local fans.

Yet, others within the football community see it differently, arguing that it represents an exciting opportunity to promote La Liga worldwide.

Cucurella and Merino spoke in favour of playing the match in the USA. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

During a recent national team press conference, Marc Cucurella and Mikel Merino shared their thoughts on the matter.

Merino, currently playing for Arsenal, expressed his support for the initiative, saying,

“This is where all competitions are heading, like the NBA or the NFL. I don’t think it’s bad for La Liga and Spanish football to be able to show the quality of our competition, as long as everyone agrees.”

Echoing his teammate’s views, Chelsea full-back Cucurella added,

“It can be good, because you’re taking the show to another part of the world so that people who are there and can’t afford to travel can watch a game from our league.”

Notably, the UEFA Executive Committee officially confirmed that the Spanish Federation’s request had been approved.

With UEFA’s approval now secured, it appears almost certain that La Liga will finally stage a league fixture in the United States, and Barcelona will be the team leading that historic step forward for Spanish football.

Source: SPORT