The Miami Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa are playing the Washington Commanders this Sunday at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu in Spain’s capital. The game is part of the NFL’s efforts for internationalization, and it created great buzz among the international and local fandom.
Describe Tua Tagovailoa in 1 word ✍️ pic.twitter.com/5QpBFayYUj
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 16, 2025
Local US fans seemed amazed at the cosmopolitan character of Madrid and the modern facilities at the Bernabeu. Spanish and European fans too are getting their first taste of the NFL on home soil.
What hasn’t impressed fans much is the level of play the Dolphins have shown this Sunday. Some fans have called for an end to Tua Tagovailoa’s career at Miami.
“TUA THROWS A SHIT PASS TO THE TE ON 3rd DOWN THAT SHOULD’VE BEEN A TD, THEN TAKES A MASSIVE SACK. CUT TUA IMMEDIATELY,” demanded someone.
“That’s 2 plays on the opening drive that Tua Tagovailoa – a $212 million QB – took the play clock way too close to 0 for no reason against a bad #Commanders defense. Cost the #Dolphins 4 points on that drive. Just can’t happen. #NFL,” explained someone else.
“Tua Tagovailoa has 0 career playoff wins. ZERO he’s literally never done it lmao. One of the fakest media pushed players I’ve ever seen man,” lamented another fan.
Some fans focused their reactions on how incredible it is that the NFL is having a game in Madrid’s soccer cathedral.
“marcus mariota vs tua tagovailoa at the bernabéu has to be a fever dream,” wrote another person.
Yet other fans lamented that local Spanish fans had to watch a dreadful matchup.
“Nothing kills the hope for growth of the NFL in Spain like having to watch offenses led by Marcus Mariota and Tua Tagovailoa 🤢 I’m sorry Spaniards,” wrote one fan.
Fantasy players were left with a unique choice.
“I have a lot of leagues where I had to choose between Tua Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota. So far it seems like it didn’t matter. Aloha,” wrote a fantasy player.
Is the NHL competing with the NFL?
“Not to be outdone by having Tua Tagovailoa playing in Spain at 7:43 AM PT, the NHL apparently currently has the Nashville Predators playing in Sweden lmfao,” joked one fan.
What’s The Santiago Bernabeu In Madrid?
The Santiago Bernabeu is the 84,000-capacity state-of-the-art stadium of Spain’s most successful soccer club, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol. Initially inaugurated in 1947, the Bernabeu is one of Europe’s most modern sports venues, having just finished a massive $1.3 billion renovation in 2024.
The renovation added a retractable roof, a 360-degree LED scoreboard, a retractable turf, a new facade, and a plethora of new fan amenities. Real Madrid is the most valuable soccer club in the world, valued at $6.75 billion according to Forbes.
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