Sports
La Liga Confirms ‘Historic’ Barcelona Match In Miami
Barcelona will face Villarreal in Miami in a La Liga match on December 20, the Spanish top flight said Wednesday, making it the first European league fixture to be played abroad.
Earlier this week, European football governing body UEFA said it opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
“With this match, we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement.
“We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context — it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season,” Tebas added.
The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium, but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida.
Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.
“Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 per cent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty,” said La Liga.
In September, a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their “complete opposition” to the match taking place abroad.
La Liga has attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017, but the
Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia itself.
Barcelona’s rivals, Real Madrid, have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a La Liga game abroad.
They said in August that hosting the game in Miami would “alter the competitive balance” of the league and set an “unacceptable precedent”.
AFP
Earlier this week, European football governing body UEFA said it opposed the idea of games being played overseas but would permit it on an exceptional basis, along with a Serie A match in Australia in February between AC Milan and Como.
“With this match, we take a historic step that projects La Liga and Spanish football into a new dimension,” said La Liga president Javier Tebas in a statement.
“We understand and respect the concerns that this decision may generate, but it is important to put it into context — it is a single match out of the 380 that make up the season,” Tebas added.
The game was due to be played at Villarreal’s home stadium, but will now take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in the United States, in Florida.
Villarreal will take measures to compensate season ticket holders after the game was moved.
“Villarreal season ticket holders will be able to travel for free to the match, and those who choose not to travel to Miami will enjoy a 30 per cent discount on their season ticket price as part of the measures designed to reward their support and loyalty,” said La Liga.
In September, a total of 18 fan groups from both teams involved expressed their “complete opposition” to the match taking place abroad.
La Liga has attempted to play matches overseas dating back to 2017, but the
Spanish football federation (RFEF) frequently resisted, despite hosting the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia itself.
Barcelona’s rivals, Real Madrid, have also expressed their disapproval at the decision to take a La Liga game abroad.
They said in August that hosting the game in Miami would “alter the competitive balance” of the league and set an “unacceptable precedent”.
AFP
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Former Barcelona and Real Mallorca fullback Lluis Carreras says the Blaugrana should drop plans of signing Marcus Rashford permanently.
Rashford is on a season-long loan at Barca from Manchester United, with the deal carrying a €30m permanent option.
The England attacker has impressed and after victory at Celta Vigo, he said last night: “I’m doing very well, I’m happy here at Barça. We have to stick to the plan as (coach Hansi) Flick has asked.
“I feel great. My first assist today was probably my best assist here.”
However, Carreras believes Rashford’s fee can be spent better elsewhere, particularly given Barca’s current financial situation.
He said on Carrusel, “If you want to go for a top striker who’s going to cost you what he’s going to cost, maybe Rashford isn’t an option, or you can’t do both deals.
“He shouldn’t be Barça’s number one priority signing, because we’re talking about 30 million euros, which is a lot of money given the current situation.”
Rashford is on a season-long loan at Barca from Manchester United, with the deal carrying a €30m permanent option.
The England attacker has impressed and after victory at Celta Vigo, he said last night: “I’m doing very well, I’m happy here at Barça. We have to stick to the plan as (coach Hansi) Flick has asked.
“I feel great. My first assist today was probably my best assist here.”
However, Carreras believes Rashford’s fee can be spent better elsewhere, particularly given Barca’s current financial situation.
He said on Carrusel, “If you want to go for a top striker who’s going to cost you what he’s going to cost, maybe Rashford isn’t an option, or you can’t do both deals.
“He shouldn’t be Barça’s number one priority signing, because we’re talking about 30 million euros, which is a lot of money given the current situation.”
Former Chelsea star Ruud Gullit has told Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee to leave the club as he continues to struggle.
United manager Ruben Amorim is still working out his best front three after a busy summer which included the signings of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
However, one forward who has been forgotten about is Zirkzee who joined the side in the summer of 2024. The Dutchman has featured for just 82 Premier League minutes this season and was overlooked at the weekend as Amorim made all five substitutions before he could come on.
Now, speaking to Video Gamer, Gullit has sent advice to the young striker who he believes could find success away from United much like Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay at Napoli.
“Everybody that leaves Man United ends up playing well. The problem there maybe is actually United. I should advise Zirkzee to go somewhere else and play more.
“Go back to Italy if you can on loan or whatever. Just play football. He’s a good player. But at the moment, it’s difficult at Man United. They found a little form in the past couple of weeks and I hope for Man United that they continue that.
“Because a good Man United is good for the Premier League as well.” LaLiga
United manager Ruben Amorim is still working out his best front three after a busy summer which included the signings of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha.
However, one forward who has been forgotten about is Zirkzee who joined the side in the summer of 2024. The Dutchman has featured for just 82 Premier League minutes this season and was overlooked at the weekend as Amorim made all five substitutions before he could come on.
Now, speaking to Video Gamer, Gullit has sent advice to the young striker who he believes could find success away from United much like Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay at Napoli.
“Everybody that leaves Man United ends up playing well. The problem there maybe is actually United. I should advise Zirkzee to go somewhere else and play more.
“Go back to Italy if you can on loan or whatever. Just play football. He’s a good player. But at the moment, it’s difficult at Man United. They found a little form in the past couple of weeks and I hope for Man United that they continue that.
“Because a good Man United is good for the Premier League as well.” LaLiga
Former Tottenham forward Fraizer Campbell has backed Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kane headed in a stoppage-time leveller to prevent a first defeat of the season for Bayern Munich in their 2-2 draw at Union Berlin at the weekend, taking his tally to 26 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances.
The England captain has shown no signs of letting up since making the move from Tottenham, despite turning 32 back in July. Speaking to GOAL via Stake, Campbell was asked if Kane could keep going until their late 30’s much like Messi and Ronaldo.
“I think so. As long as your body allows you, it’s not picking up too many injuries. He never had blistering pace so he is more of a technical finisher. I think he could play for a good while longer.
“And he still knows where the net is, he’s still scoring, it’s not like he is slowing down. He could continue going on for a long time.”
Kane headed in a stoppage-time leveller to prevent a first defeat of the season for Bayern Munich in their 2-2 draw at Union Berlin at the weekend, taking his tally to 26 goals and 4 assists in 22 appearances.
The England captain has shown no signs of letting up since making the move from Tottenham, despite turning 32 back in July. Speaking to GOAL via Stake, Campbell was asked if Kane could keep going until their late 30’s much like Messi and Ronaldo.
“I think so. As long as your body allows you, it’s not picking up too many injuries. He never had blistering pace so he is more of a technical finisher. I think he could play for a good while longer.
“And he still knows where the net is, he’s still scoring, it’s not like he is slowing down. He could continue going on for a long time.”
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