FC Barcelona announced on Saturday that it has officially withdrawn from the European Super League, notifying both the European Super League Company and the clubs that remained involved. The club’s statement was short and factual, reporting the formal notification of withdrawal without offering reasons.
The club’s involvement in the Super League dates back to April 2021, when the idea of a closed competition backed by Europe’s biggest clubs emerged and quickly collapsed under public backlash, political pressure and resistance from UEFA.
Over time Atlético de Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Inter and the entire English contingent left the project. Real Madrid is now the only club still associated with the Super League. Barcelona had been the last remaining participant in name, and this announcement formalises its exit.
The timing is notable within Barcelona’s internal politics. Joan Laporta is due to step down on Monday in order to launch his re‑election campaign ahead of the 15 March vote. His relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has been viewed increasingly as a liability, which makes the announcement’s timing relevant.
Ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final last month Laporta acknowledged strained relations with Real Madrid, underlining the tension between the two clubs. The Super League had been the last visible thread tying the two presidents together; that thread has now been cut.
The move away from confrontation with UEFA came against a difficult backdrop. Barcelona has been under scrutiny for potential Financial Fair Play breaches and was fined 60 million euros by UEFA, of which 15 million have been paid while appeals continue. That exposure made a prolonged clash with UEFA riskier for the club.
Signs of a shift were visible earlier. In October Laporta attended the annual European club assembly in Rome, presenting himself as a bridge between Super League proponents and UEFA. At a Cruyff Foundation event he reiterated a push for reconciliation and for clubs linked to the Super League to return to UEFA and the European Football Clubs association.
Laporta has reportedly rebuilt ties with Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA’s president, and drawn closer to Nasser Al‑Khelaïfi, president of Paris Saint‑Germain and now head of the EFC. Barcelona had previously been excluded from the EFC, so reintegration was significant.
The revamped Champions League format, offering more matches and higher revenues, also reduced the Super League’s appeal and helped make withdrawal easier to justify from a sporting and commercial perspective.
Practically speaking, Barcelona’s exit carries no financial penalty, despite earlier talk of a possible 300 million euro sanction. Reports indicate that the matter was settled by Laporta, allowing the club to walk away without extra payments.
According to La Vanguardia, one of Barcelona’s next objectives is to regain a prominent role within the EFC. That process is expected to coincide with the resignations of Laporta and club treasurer Ferran Olivé, both of whom held positions linked to the Super League.
Article by Luis Mazariegos. Published 8 February 2026.
