Villarreal v FC Barcelona to be played in Miami

The LaLiga matchday 17 fixture between Villarreal and FC Barcelona is to take place in Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium. The clash is scheduled for the weekend of 21 December and is the final match before the break for the festive season, and therefore, for Barça in 2025. 

"We have always felt the passion for Barça in the US"

FC Barcelona Joan Laporta, Villarreal president Fernando Roig and LaLiga president Javier Tebas all agree that this Villarreal v Barça is a good opportunity for fans in the United States. "We are hoping to see all our fans in the United States again and we thank LaLiga for the opportunity to get closer to one of the main strategic markets for the Club. We've been visiting the country for many years and we have always felt the passion for FC Barcelona", explained Joan Laporta. "A competitive game in a city like Miami, with a large FC Barcelona following, will definitely be a great show”, added the blaugrana president.

Fernando Roig's statement was along the same lines, stating "We hope to be able to reach fans from other parts of the world with this initiative and to continue expanding the club brand and the LaLiga brand". "LaLiga represents millions of fans worldwide, including many who passionately follow their club and they deserve the chance to experience seeing them live at least once. This aim of the game is precisely to bring our football closer to the global fans without discrediting the commitment of those who enjoy each matchday in the stadiums in Spain", added Javier Tebas. 

Four Barça games in Miami

As such, Barça are set to play their first competitive game in Miami. The blaugranes will travel to the Rock Stadium to play the LaLiga matchday 17 fixture before 2025 comes to a close. Barça have played four friendlies in the US city before, all of which were part of preseason tours.

You have to go back to preseason in 2022 to find the last time FC Barcelona were in Florida. It was a friendly against Inter Miami at the Chase Stadium, when the blaugranes with Xavi as coach won by a resounding 0-6 – Aubameyang, Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Gavi, Memphis and Dembélé with the goals.

That game also saw Raphinha play his first game with FC Barcelona, as the Brazilian began his story wearing blaugrana that 20 July 2022. Three years later, he has become a vital player and one of the captains of the men's first team.

Good memories at the Hard Rock Stadium

A win for FC Barcelona in Miami then, but there were two others and the Hard Rock Stadium was the venue for both. The stadium hosted what was one of the most memorable games by Barça in the United States in 2017 and a Clásico no less. It was the first time a Barça v Real Madrid match was played in a North American city and it couldn't have turned out better as the blaugranes ran out 2-3 winners.

Goals by Messi, Rakitić and Piqué on 29 July 2017 topped off a wonderful time for the 66,014 watching on, who enjoyed a unique experience. Two years later, FC Barcelona coached by Ernesto Valverde again tasted victory against Napoli on 8 August 2019, with Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitić scoring the goals against the Italian side.

Just one defeat

However, FC Barcelona matches didn't get off on the right foot in Miami and at the Hard Rock Stadium, because the blaugranes played their first game in the US on 4 August 2011, which ended in a 4-1 defeat by Chivas Guadalajara. Josep Guardiola and players found the Mexican side irrepressible, with David Villa scoring the consolation goal.

Miami and the Hard Rock Stadium will soon host a fifth game for FC Barcelona. The first one with points at stake.

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