Thibaut Courtois' 300th Match: Real Madrid Takes on Juventus
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois is set to make his 300th appearance for the club in Wednesday's Champions League match against Juventus.
“Villarreal away is a difficult game... everyone should play at home and away, apart from for force majeure...”
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is speaking out against LaLiga's plan to hold a match between Barcelona and Villarreal in Miami. He believes this move would “totally adulterate the competition.” LaLiga announced that the game, scheduled for December, will be the first European league fixture to be held abroad.
This isn't just about one match for Courtois; he's concerned about the broader implications for the league's integrity. By taking games outside of their home country, LaLiga would be altering the competitive balance and changing the fan experience.
“It's totally adulterating the competition,” Courtois told a news conference.
“It's easy to talk about the NFL and the NBA (which move locations), they have 82 games and it doesn't change anything for them, and in the NFL it's voted for by the owners of the teams...
“Here it's the opposite... they decided to do it and it adulterates the competition.”
Courtois noted that Barcelona would benefit from facing Villarreal at a neutral venue instead of Villarreal's home ground, as it would give them a tactical advantage.
“Villarreal away is a difficult game... everyone should play at home and away, apart from for force majeure.”
The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) spearheaded a league-wide protest against LaLiga's decision to hold a match in Miami. During each match last weekend, players from all teams showed their dissent by remaining motionless for 15 seconds at the start of the game. However, LaLiga's influence extended to television broadcasts, with the league reportedly advising broadcasters not to air the poignant protests.
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— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 21, 2025
📺 Press conference ➡️ RM Play
This move by LaLiga has sparked controversy, with many questioning the league's stance on player expression and the prioritization of broadcasting interests. The AFE's determination to voice their opposition remains unwavering, with the players' union vowing to continue their protest against the Miami fixture.
“Hiding it... is censorship and manipulation, and that's not good at all,” added Courtois.
Real Madrid has formally expressed opposition to the proposed relocation of the Villarreal-Barcelona match to Miami, filing a complaint with the Higher Sports Council (CSD). The club argues that hosting a league match abroad would distort the competition and create an unfair advantage.
The CSD has requested detailed information from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the reasoning behind La Liga's decision to hold the match in Miami. The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, with potential implications for the future of Spanish football.
“My opinion is clear… the club is defending their interests and we will see what happens,” said the coach.
Real Madrid's Thibaut Courtois is on the cusp of a major milestone, set to make his 300th appearance for the club in Wednesday's Champions League match against Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu. This upcoming match is scheduled for 8 PM WAT tomorrow.
“I'm very proud of reaching that number, when you're a kid you dream of playing a game for Real Madrid and tomorrow it will be 300,” said the 33-year-old.
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