Firm Stance From the Madrid Coach

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso voiced his disapproval of the decision to take the Matchday 17 LaLiga fixture between Villarreal and Barcelona to Miami. For the coach, the move compromises the fairness of the competition and should not be implemented without full agreement from all clubs.

“I fully agree with the club’s statement,” said Xabi Alonso during a press conference ahead of his team’s league debut against Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu. The coach emphasized that “at the start of the competition we knew the rules we were playing under, and if they are changed, it must be with the unanimity of all participants.”

Backing the Club’s Official Position

The coach’s remarks echoed the official stance of Real Madrid, which released a statement urging FIFA, UEFA, and the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD) to intervene and prevent the match from being played outside Spain. The club insists that staging the game in the United States gives Barcelona “a sporting advantage” and disrupts “competitive balance” within the league.

Xabi Alonso reiterated that this is not a minor issue but one of fairness for all competing clubs. “Right now, it’s not feasible and it should be consulted with all LaLiga participants beforehand. I completely agree with the club’s statement,” he concluded.

A Debate That Remains Open

The initiative to host an official LaLiga match in Miami is not new, but it has always sparked controversy. The stance of Real Madrid and its manager once again fuels the debate over whether these moves are truly aimed at globalizing Spanish football or if they undermine the integrity of domestic competition.

For now, Xabi Alonso’s return to the Madrid bench comes with a clear message: defending the interests of the club and ensuring that the rules are respected above any commercial motives.