Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has openly criticised La Liga’s controversial plan to stage the upcoming Barcelona vs Villarreal fixture in Miami, voicing his disapproval over what he believes is an unfair decision that compromises the integrity of the competition.
Speaking to reporters, the Dutch international did not hold back: “I don’t like that we’re going to play Barça vs Villarreal in Miami, I don’t agree. It’s not fair to the competition. The clubs will make money from this, ok… but my clear opinion is that this kind of situation is not acceptable.”
De Jong’s comments come after La Liga president Javier Tebas confirmed that talks are underway to bring official league games to the United States as part of the league’s global expansion strategy. The proposed match, reportedly set to take place early next year, would mark the first time a Spanish top-flight game is played outside Spain.
While La Liga sees the move as a step toward increasing international exposure and revenue, several players and fans have voiced concerns about the sporting implications. Critics argue that relocating domestic matches abroad distorts the home-and-away balance, giving some teams an unfair advantage and alienating local supporters.