The Athletic FC Podcast Why was Barcelona's league game in Miami cancelled?
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Oct 23, 2025 Dermot Corrigan, a La Liga writer, discusses the surprising cancellation of Barcelona's match in Miami against Villarreal, citing timeline issues and player protests. Matt Slater, an Athletic contributor, dives into the broader implications of this decision on football politics and commercial interests. They explore how Real Madrid's Florentino Perez played a role, the financial stakes for La Liga, and the potential impact on Serie A's overseas plans. The conversation wraps up with speculation on how this drama could influence the upcoming El Clasico.
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Overseas Match Collapses Under Domestic Pressure
- La Liga tried to stage Villarreal vs Barcelona in Miami but cancelled it at short notice due to mounting domestic opposition and practical concerns.
- The decision highlighted tensions between commercial ambition and domestic political, legal and player pushback.
Florentino’s Levers Thwarted La Liga’s Plan
- Real Madrid and Florentino Pérez used political influence to block the move and undermined La Liga's plan.
- That intervention shows how intra-league rivalries can override league-wide commercial initiatives.
Players’ Exclusion Became A Political Flashpoint
- Players felt excluded and disrespected because La Liga didn't consult them or address contractual working-conditions changes.
- That player backlash became a significant political and public pressure point against the overseas fixture.