La Liga has officially announced that the league match between Villarreal and Barcelona, originally scheduled to be played at Villarreal’s home ground, will instead take place in Miami on December 20. It is expected that both clubs will earn between €5–6 million each from the event.
However, Frenkie de Jong, Barcelona’s midfield star, expressed his disagreement in a recent interview:
“I understand the club’s position. Playing in the U.S. can increase revenue and expand our global brand, but I don’t support the idea because it’s not good for the players.”
The Dutch midfielder is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Barcelona, which is expected to be announced this month. His remarks at this sensitive moment could be interpreted as a message from the dressing room, spoken with the authority of a team leader.
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s playing style is physically demanding, requiring intense pressing and high work rate. The club’s summer tour across Asia has already taken a toll on players’ fitness. With limited new signings and a series of midfield injuries, maintaining consistency and stability has become a real challenge.
Barcelona’s system depends heavily on the midfield, especially on players’ movement and endurance. Traveling to the U.S. for a league game could further strain the squad’s energy reserves.
The situation is even trickier because this overseas La Liga match in Miami takes place on December 20, and less than three weeks later, on January 8, the team must travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup. This means back-to-back trips across America, Europe, and Asia, potentially hurting Barcelona’s preparation for the Champions League knockout stages.
Yet, given the club’s current financial situation, the €5–6 million in extra revenue comes at a crucial time — it could even fund a winter transfer signing. By that point, Camp Nou is expected to reopen partially, accommodating around 45,000 spectators. The activation of VIP boxes and ticket sales would help Barcelona return to a 1:1 salary registration ratio, making it easier to bring in reinforcements.
If Barcelona refused to play the U.S. La Liga fixture, they would earn virtually nothing from what would otherwise be an away match. In previous seasons, the club had to travel to Africa during the winter break for commercial friendlies, earning only around €2 million in appearance fees. Although traveling to the U.S. is farther, the financial rewards are much greater — and it saves them another long trip elsewhere.
Moreover, considering Barcelona’s vast fan base in the United States, the Miami match could feel almost like a home game, giving them both financial and sporting advantages.
From a player’s perspective, it’s natural to prefer a less grueling schedule — maintaining top form is essential for winning. But from the management’s point of view, broader considerations come into play. Overall, agreeing to play this La Liga match in the U.S. seems to be the most beneficial option for the club.
Of course, the success of this decision hinges on Barcelona winning that “away” game — and wisely using the €5–6 million windfall to sign a new defender in the winter window. If that happens, Hansi Flick could yet deliver more surprises for Barcelona in the months ahead.
