Barcelona Pull Out of European Super League, Leaving Real Madrid Alone

By Sport Analyst

Emmanuel Afonja

FC Barcelona have officially ended their involvement in the European Super League (ESL), bringing their long-running association with the controversial project to a close and leaving Real Madrid as the only club still backing the initiative.

The breakaway competition was first announced in 2021 with the backing of 12 elite European clubs. However, intense opposition from supporters, governing bodies, and football stakeholders quickly forced many teams to reverse course.

England’s six representatives — Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur — were the first to abandon the project following widespread fan protests. They were later joined by Atlético Madrid, AC Milan, and Inter Milan.

That wave of withdrawals narrowed ESL membership to just three clubs: Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Juventus formally exited the project in 2024, choosing instead to reintegrate with the European Football Clubs (EFC), a move that further isolated the remaining participants.

Confirming the decision, Barcelona released an official statement declaring that the club had formally notified the European Super League Company and the remaining involved clubs of its withdrawal from the project.

The Super League was originally conceived as a closed 20-team competition aimed at challenging UEFA’s Champions League, a structure that drew fierce criticism for undermining sporting merit and football tradition.

Despite maintaining support for the idea as recently as 2023, Barcelona president Joan Laporta had, in recent months, shifted the club’s stance toward reconciliation with UEFA. Last October, he emphasized Barcelona’s desire to strengthen ties with European football’s governing institutions.

Laporta explained that the club supported dialogue and unity, noting that Barcelona now feels closely aligned with UEFA and the EFC, and believes collaboration — rather than confrontation — is the best path forward for European football.

Barcelona’s decision to formally step away from the Super League comes just days after Laporta announced the resignation of his board, a procedural move ahead of standing for re-election in next month’s club elections.