Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, and Raphinha to play La Liga fixture in the USA? Barcelona president drops major six-word hint

Could one of Barcelona’s La Liga matches in the 2025-26 season be played in the United States? Could fans in USA see Blaugrana stars Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Marcus Rashford, and Lamine Yamal in person? It might sound far-fetched, but according to club president Joan Laporta, the possibility is very real—and gaining momentum. During a recent interview on the club’s preseason tour of Asia, Laporta hinted at a bold six-word plan that could change the face of Spanish soccer forever.

Speaking to CNN Sports from Seoul, Laporta emphasized the club’s openness to playing a competitive league match in the U.S., a move that would mark a historic first for Spanish soccer.

“We’re delighted to travel to the United States every year because we feel appreciated and respected as a club. We have a large fanbase there,” he said. “For Barcelona, it would be a great honor to take part in this event, which would be not only an official La Liga match but also a major event in the United States.”

Barcelona’s relationship with its American fanbase has flourished in recent years, particularly with growing interest in global soccer in the post-Messi MLS era. With Lionel Messi now playing for Inter Miami, the U.S. market is more receptive than ever to elite-level European competition.

Laporta was careful to stress that the final decision lies with La Liga, but he made clear that the club would cooperate fully. “We are a club that belongs to La Liga, and we’re committed to marketing the competition in the best possible way,” he told CNN. “We are open and at La Liga’s full disposal.” Those six words—“we are at La Liga’s disposal”—could become a catalyst for the first-ever official Spanish league fixture on American soil.

Revival of an old idea

This isn’t the first time the idea of hosting a La Liga game in the United States has been floated. In 2018, the league proposed a Girona vs Barcelona match in Miami, but the plan was blocked by FIFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after backlash from clubs and players.

Back then, some players even threatened strike action over concerns of sporting integrity. But times may be changing. La Liga president Javier Tebas, a long-time advocate for international expansion, has revived the conversation with renewed ambition.

“We have a commitment to play in Miami one day. We are going to see what the calendar allows us to do,” Tebas recently told Sport, while acknowledging that Barcelona would be more open than Real Madrid to such a move.

Could it be Barcelona vs. Villarreal?

According to Spanish outlet Sport, La Liga is eyeing Barcelona’s home match against Villarreal, currently scheduled for December 20 or 21, 2025, as the most likely candidate for a U.S. debut. If that happens, Barca would play only 18 La Liga games at Camp Nou next season instead of the standard 19.