The Super Bowl is the pinnacle of American football. It remains a global sporting phenomenon, as millions tune in each year to witness the culmination of the season, a clash of titans. But is it truly a top spectacle on the global stage? Enter Iker Casillas, Real Madrid legend and an unofficial ambassador of the NFL’s international expansion, with a bold claim – El Clasico, the historic rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona. He also drew ‘parallels‘ between the excitement of a FIFA WC/UEFA Champions League final and the anticipated buildup to the Super Bowl.

As the fervor builds for Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers, Casillas has injected an interesting perspective. Let’s uncover his stance.

Super Bowl vs. El Clasico: Iker Casillas throws down the gauntlet

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Iker Casillas stated, “The data there is, also not of the Champions League or the World Cup but of El Clasico or even a Madrid derby, the numbers pull the audience even more than the Super Bowl,” Casillas claimed. He weighed in on viewership numbers. While the Super Bowl undoubtedly remains a cornerstone of American sports culture, its global reach pales compared to El Clasico. Millions of fans tune in to watch the Barcelona-Madrid from Asia, Africa, and South America.

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The numbers and stats showcase a stark reality. The Super Bowl drew 115 million viewers in the US and 56 million globally during last year’s showdown. Whereas, El Clasico is watched in more than 185 countries with a potential audience of 650 million viewers, per La Liga figures. The cultural significance and historical rivalry between the two La Liga giants add another dimension to the clash. The fans’ emotional connection fuels a level of engagement that the Super Bowl, still relatively new on the global stage, might struggle to match.

Casillas also expressed his desire to watch a live NFL clash. He revealed that the 2025 Bernabeu game will be his first NFL game. “This will be my first time in a Super Bowl in an environment like this, and I’m going to enjoy it. I’m trying to take it something parallel as if it was a Champions League final, a Clasico, or a World Cup final,” Casillas stated. Let’s dive deeper into the NFL’s further plans to go global.

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NFL’s Global Expansion: A Shifting Landscape

As the NFL continues its ambitious international expansion efforts, plans to host a regular-season game at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in 2025 seems like a huge step forward. Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Club Business, League Events & International, acknowledges the significance of Madrid as a ‘global hub.’ “It’s a global hub. An important market that resonates beyond its borders,” he said. “We know the reach that Real Madrid has, that echoes and ripples around the world. We can bring our collective fan bases together.”

The NFL will play its first game in Brazil, which also is its first game in South America, this fall. The Philadelphia Eagles will be the home team at Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo for the season opener. In this past season, there were five games held in the international series. Two games were held in Frankfurt, Germany, and three in London, England.

Now, with the addition of Brazil and Spain to the roster of international host nations, the NFL is poised to further solidify its status as a global sporting spectacle. All eyes will be on the Super Bowl LVIII between the Chiefs and 49ers this weekend.

Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

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