Andre Villas-Boas pitches new competition involving Barcelona, Real Madrid and Portuguese giants

Martin Macdonald

• 11 Oct 2025 10:01 CDT
• 3 min read

News

FC Porto president Andre Villas-Boas has pitched an idea for a new competition that would see clubs from Spain and Portugal face off.

The 'Iberian Super Cup' would have the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Sporting CP and Porto play against each other in a spectacle each season.

The idea from Villas-Boas comes as plans have been confirmed for a La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Villarreal to be played in the United States and a Serie A fixture between Milan and Como to be played in Australia.

In the background, the spectre of a European Super League looms as Florentino Perez, the president of Real Madrid, is refusing to let his passion project die.

"We're on a path to brand expansion and international positioning," the former Chelsea manager said at the Portugal Football Summit on Friday.

"It's a huge challenge, which will likely come with new competitions. If we consider sports other than football, we have other competitions like the Iberian Super Cups, cross-border leagues... I believe football will be heading in that direction within ten years.

"I launched the challenge of an Iberian Super Cup to Pedro Proença [president of the FPF] and other great Portuguese and Spanish clubs. Now we're all at loggerheads, but the idea of creating one remained. At the time, it was very well received by Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Sporting, and the FPF."

Football figures oppose abroad fixture plans

Various figures in football have spoken out against the plans for those aforementioned La Liga and Serie A fixtures, including two players who will be involved in the aforementioned games. Here's what they've had to say...

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong: "I don't like us going there, and I don't agree with it.

"It's not fair for the competition and I don't think it's right for the players given the long flight."

"For the clubs, it's about expanding their brand globally. That's probably what it's all about. We always complain about the match schedule and the excessive travel.

"The clubs are going to get paid for this, but I don't agree with playing a league game in Miami. I understand that other clubs don't agree."

Milan midfielder Adrien Rabiot: “I was surprised when I learned that AC Milan and I will be playing a Serie A match against Como… in Australia! It’s completely crazy.

“These are financial agreements to give visibility to the league, things that are beyond us. There’s a lot of talk about schedules and player health, but this all seems truly absurd. It’s crazy to travel so many miles for a match between two Italian teams in Australia. We have to adapt, as always.” (Le Figaro)

Former Barcelona head coach Ronald Koeman: "It doesn't make any sense. It's ridiculous. Frenkie gives a good explanation. It's not fair. Villarreal-Barcelona is always a difficult away game for Barca, and now they're playing it on a neutral ground. There are more Barcelona fans in the stands than Villarreal fans. So it's not fair either."

Spain international Unai Simon: “Villarreal and Barca have put money ahead of their fans. This harms the fans and adulterates the competition. Barca won’t play on a neutral field in Miami because more than half of the stadium will be Barca’s.”

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:

•App Store