Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, said canceling the match in the United States was a missed opportunity

When La Liga announced its plans to hold a league match between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, it presented the idea as a bold step forward – one that would raise the visibility of Spanish football, boost the profile of its players, and strengthen the sport’s brand in a key international market.

The project, fully compliant with the Federation’s regulations and competition integrity, was conceived as a new frontier for the game seeking global relevance.

But the controversy that followed showed how far Spanish football still remains from speaking with one voice.

The way the cancellation was handled left deep marks. Villarreal was shocked, saying that the timing harmed his image and the image of the competition. “We found out 10 minutes before kick-off [in Tuesday’s home Champions League game against Manchester City]“, said one of the dignitaries.

The players themselves were among the harshest critics, arguing not against the concept, but rather against the process. They have been wondering for months how the logistics would work: Will there be a 72-hour break between matches, as agreed? Does insurance cover them abroad? What is payment distribution?

When answers never arrived, the teams organized symbolic protests. Their message was simple: listen to us.

Throughout Spain, opposition grew rapidly. Many clubs expressed doubts, the media questioned the project’s transparency and logic, and details about how clubs would be compensated – or whether they would be compensated – remained unclear. Villarreal even publicly stated that they did not receive any money from the deal, while Barcelona insisted that they were paid from the moment they boarded the plane to Miami.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid intensified its opposition, filing a second complaint with the Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) to prevent the Miami match. The club argued that playing a league match abroad would “violate the fairness of the competition”.

A new debate has begun. Changing the competition is one thing, cheating or corrupting it is another – La Liga accepts the first proposal, but not the second.

In the midst of this legal and institutional tug of war, the Spanish Federation offered its support, while the government walked cautiously through the regulatory maze, waiting to see how events would develop.

For La Liga, Villarreal and Barcelona, ​​the refusal to go ahead represents more than just a canceled match: it is a setback in efforts to build new revenue streams and maintain international competitiveness.

The league insisted the project aims to generate long-term value for all stakeholders – clubs, players and fans – by opening up new trade and sporting routes abroad. He stressed that international expansion remains vital to ensuring the global importance of Spanish football.

The Miami experience has shown that Spanish football, despite its talent and ambition, is not yet ready to make that leap – into a future that is irresistible to some, unstoppable to many.