Sofia Quijada
Barcelona Officially Withdraws from Super League
FC Barcelona has formally pulled out of the European Super League leaving Real Madrid as the only club still committed to the controversial breakaway competition.
The club announced its decision in a statement on Tuesday, confirming it had notified the European Super League Company and all involved clubs of its withdrawal. Barcelona’s exit marks the end of its long-standing support for the project, which first surfaced in 2021 amid fierce backlash from fans, governing bodies, and rival clubs.
“FC Barcelona hereby announces that today it has formally notified the European Super League Company and the clubs involved of its withdrawal from the European Super League project,” the statement read.
The Super League’s Collapse
The breakaway league was initially announced in April 2021 with 12 founding members including six Premier League sides: Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur. Within 72 hours, all six English clubs had withdrawn following intense fan protests and pressure from football authorities.
By June 2024, Juventus became the 10th club to abandon the project. Barcelona and Real Madrid remained the last holdouts until now.
Barcelona’s Shift in Stance
In October 2025, Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, signaled a change in direction. He expressed the club’s desire to rejoin UEFA and the European Football Clubs (EFC)—formerly the European Clubs Association (ECA) after being expelled alongside the original 12 Super League signatories.
The other 10 clubs that withdrew have since been reinstated in the EFC. Barcelona’s exit from the Super League could pave the way for its own return to UEFA’s fold.
Real Madrid’s Legal Battle
While Barcelona steps away, Real Madrid remains the sole club still pushing for the Super League’s revival. The Spanish giants are pursuing legal action against UEFA, seeking “substantial damages” over rulings they claim unfairly targeted the breakaway league.
A Madrid commercial court ruled in May 2024 that UEFA and FIFA had engaged in anti-competitive behavior echoing a decision from the European Court of Justice. The case was brought by A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League, against UEFA, FIFA, La Liga, and the Spanish football federation (RFEF).
“The latest judgement does not validate the Super League project, nor does it undermine UEFA’s current authorisation rules.”
UEFA has since revised its competition regulations in response to the Super League’s collapse. Despite the legal setbacks, the governing body maintains that its rules remain intact and that the Super League has no future under its framework.
What’s Next for European Football?
Barcelona’s withdrawal leaves Real Madrid isolated in its pursuit of a breakaway league. With fan opposition unrelenting and UEFA’s stance firm, the Super League’s prospects appear dimmer than ever.
For now, the focus shifts back to traditional competitions Champions League, Europa League, and domestic leagues where the battle for supremacy continues without the shadow of a closed, elite tournament.
Read also: Barcelona vs Mallorca Predictions: Odds and betting tips for La Liga 2025/26 Match – 07.02.2026