Barcelona Backs Out, Real Madrid Now the Sole Supporter of European Super League
European Super League Faces Setback as Barcelona Withdraws, Leaving Real Madrid as the Sole Supporter
The European Super League has received a significant blow as Barcelona officially rejoined the European Football Clubs (EFC). The announcement was made during the group’s general assembly in Rome, confirming Catalan giants’ return. This development leaves Real Madrid as the only major club still backing the controversial breakaway project.
Barcelona’s return was welcomed by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who also chairs the EFC. During a speech to club executives across Europe, Al-Khelaifi highlighted the importance of unity, expressing hope that past disagreements could be put aside for the sport’s benefit.
“Today, I am pleased to welcome back a close friend,” Al-Khelaifi said, referring to Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta. “He has revitalized his club both on the pitch with a talented young team and off the pitch with a new stadium. Joan Laporta, please join us in welcoming Barcelona back into the family.”
Barcelona had previously withdrawn from the European Club Association (ECA) in 2021 to pursue the formation of the Super League, which was ultimately abandoned. The move signifies a retreat from the breakaway league initiative, which faced intense protests and opposition from fans and governing bodies alike.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez remains the only supporter of the project, keeping the league alive in spirit despite the setbacks. The European Club Board (ECB), which represents the continent’s top clubs, has instead collaborated with UEFA on a revamped Champions League format, aiming to increase revenue and match quality.
The new system guarantees eight group-stage matches per team, with a total of 64 additional fixtures to be broadcast. Rights to these competitions are set to be auctioned, with US-based Relevent Sports managing the tender process. The target annual revenue from these efforts is approximately £4.3 billion, with digital giants like Netflix and Amazon in sight for streaming deals.