Barcelona officially pull the plug on Super League involvement
The Catalan giants have formally notified the European Super League Company of their withdrawal, leaving Real Madrid and Juventus as the last clubs standing.
Barcelona have finally thrown in the towel on the controversial European Super League project, formally communicating their withdrawal to all parties involved.
End of the road
In a move that’s been on the cards for months, Barça have officially notified both the European Super League Company and the remaining member clubs that they’re walking away from the project. The Catalan club published a brief statement on their website this Saturday, bringing the curtain down on their involvement in a venture that’s been more drama than a soap opera since its inception in 2021.
The statement itself was proper short and sweet - just a single sentence confirming they’ve told everyone involved that they’re out. No lengthy explanation, no tearful goodbye - just a clean break.
Last man standing
With Barcelona’s departure, the Super League project is looking more dead than a dodo. What started as a rebellion by 12 of Europe’s biggest clubs has dwindled dramatically:
- The six Premier League clubs (Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal) pulled out within days of the initial announcement
- Atlético Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan followed suit shortly after
- Now Barcelona have joined the exodus
- Only Real Madrid and Juventus remain as the last true believers
Back in the fold
The decision effectively aligns Joan Laporta’s Barcelona with the current European football framework under UEFA’s umbrella. Despite the club’s dire financial situation that might have benefited from the promised Super League riches, Barça have chosen to stick with the devil they know.
This represents a significant U-turn for Laporta, who had previously been one of the most vocal supporters of the breakaway competition alongside Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.
The timing is particularly interesting given December’s European Court of Justice ruling that UEFA and FIFA had abused their dominant position by blocking the Super League. However, that legal victory hasn’t translated into renewed momentum for the project, with Barcelona’s exit perhaps the final nail in the coffin.