The governing body, which had voiced strong reservations, admitted there was no legal ground to block the fixture this time around, marking a rare concession in the battle over globalizing domestic leagues.

The decision, announced on October 6, has ignited fierce debate among purists who see it as a betrayal of football's roots, yet it opens the door for La Liga's commercial ambitions in the lucrative U.S. market. Villarreal president Fernando Roig had staunchly backed the proposal in the lead-up, arguing it could elevate the sport's reach without compromising its integrity.

Villarreal's head coach, Marcelino, struck a pragmatic tone when he addressed the impending transatlantic trek. "If they tell us we have to play there, we'll do it," Marcelino said. "If the right teams say we have to play there, we'll face this new experience against a great team and hope to win."

He added a dose of realism about the unknowns: "I don't know if it will change the fact of playing in Miami, because until after the experience, I won't be able to answer because it's new for all of us. Football is the same everywhere and that's how we will have to play that day.

"It will be a long trip and we will adapt to what the competition says."

Barcelona, meanwhile, have stayed largely tight-lipped on the move, though the club's young stars like Lamine Yamal are already gearing up for a packed schedule that includes this Stateside spectacle. With Yamal, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez poised to return from international duty for next Saturday's clash against Girona, the Catalans are focusing on domestic momentum amid the off-field drama.

Back home, the Spanish government have waded into the fray, with the Higher Sports Council firing off queries to the Spanish Football Federation about their potential veto power over the relocation. This intervention underscores the growing tensions, as officials probe whether national interests can override La Liga's global vision.

For now, the fixture hangs in the balance awaiting FIFA's final nod, but if it goes ahead, expect a raucous atmosphere under the Florida lights.

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