Barcelona has formally withdrawn from the European Super League, leaving only arch-rivals Real Madrid in the breakaway competition. The Catalan club had hinted at its departure around three months ago, according to club president Juan Laporta, and confirmed the move on Saturday in a brief statement on the club’s website.
“Barcelona announces that today it has formally informed the European Super League Company and the relevant clubs of its withdrawal from the European Super League project,” the statement read.
In October, Laporta had expressed the club’s intention to restore relations with UEFA and rejoin the European Club Association (ECA).
The Super League was originally announced in April 2021 as a rival to the UEFA Champions League, with 12 founding clubs initially participating. These clubs were temporarily excluded from the ECA. Facing strong opposition from FIFA, UEFA, and fan backlash, nine clubs withdrew within 48 hours and were later reinstated into the association.
After the initial departures, only Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus remained in the project. Juventus formally exited in June 2024, and Barcelona has now followed suit.
Florentino Pérez, first chairman of the Super League and president of Real Madrid, had repeatedly argued that the Super League was the only way to “save football.” With Barcelona’s exit, the remaining hope for the controversial league is now almost entirely gone.
