Athletes' remarks: Unai Simon in Miami's league finds disregard for spectators as a significant issue
Athletic Club Goalkeeper Unai Simón Slams Barcelona-Villarreal Miami Match as a Lack of Respect for Fans
Unai Simón, the goalkeeper for Athletic Club, has expressed his disapproval of the upcoming Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, stating it is a lack of respect for the fans who cannot travel to see the game live.
In an interview, Simón criticized the decision, going so far as to reject Villarreal president Juan Roig’s offer to cover travel expenses as insufficient. He emphasized that football exists because of the local supporters and moving such official matches abroad robs them of a matchday experience.
Simón's comments come as Athletic Club prepares for the upcoming season, with the club aiming to go as far as possible in both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. The competitions that Athletic Club will participate in next include the Copa, the Liga, the Supercopa, and the Champions League.
Regarding Athletic Club, Simón praised Nico Williams for his commitment to staying with the club amid these controversies, underlining the club’s values and connection to its fans. The renewal of Williams by Athletic Club speaks well of the club's work and project, according to Simón.
In addition, Simón shared his thoughts on Aymeric Laporte, his teammate in the Selection. Simón praised Laporte's charisma, defensive style, and game, stating that he is a top central defender. Laporte's firmness, solidity, and game, according to Simón, gives confidence to the entire team.
Simón values the renewal of Nico Williams for 10 years and aims to maintain the dynamic of "doing great things" in the upcoming competitions. Despite not mentioning his own contract renewal, Simón emphasized the importance of club commitment and fan respect.
It is worth noting that Simón has previously shared a dressing room with Aymeric Laporte in the Selection. As a registered user of the news article platform, Simón's press conference comments were limited to subscribers.
In the past two years, Simón has been optimistic about the upcoming season, stating it has been "very good" for Athletic Club. He considers football to be part of the fans and members and is hopeful for another successful season with the club.
"Unai Simón, expressing his opinions on the football scene, criticized the decision to hold the Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, saying it undermines the connection between teams and their European-leagues supporters. In contrast, Simón appreciates Aymeric Laporte's defensive skills, emphasizing his positive influence on the team in both the Spanish-leagues and the European-leagues."
"Moreover, during his tenure with Athletic Club, Simón values the long-term renewal of Nico Williams, who embodies the club's commitment to its fans and shared values, while also participating in the Copa del Rey, the Liga, the Supercopa, and the Champions League next season."
