Barcelona have made its final decision on its membership in the controversial European Super League tournament.
In a historic shift for European football, FC Barcelona has officially announced its complete withdrawal from the European Super League (ESL) project.
In a concise official statement released today, Saturday, February 7, 2026, the Catalan club confirmed it has severed ties with the breakaway organisation that has polarised the sport for nearly five years.
“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 club stated.
The decision marks the end of Barcelona’s long-standing alliance with Real Madrid as the final two standard-bearers for the project. Originally launched in April 2021 with 12 founding members, the ESL collapsed within 48 hours following massive fan protests and threats of sanctions from UEFA and FIFA.
While other clubs like Juventus and Atletico Madrid exited in the years following, Barcelona and Real Madrid remained the sole proponents of the league until today.
While the club’s official statement remained brief, industry insiders point to several key factors behind the timing:
- Mended Ties with UEFA: Under President Joan Laporta, Barcelona has worked aggressively over the last year to restore its relationship with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
- Champions League Reforms: Changes to the UEFA Champions League format and increased revenue distributions have reportedly satisfied the club’s financial concerns, which were the primary driver for joining the ESL in 2021.
- The “Negreira Case” Friction: Growing tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid—particularly regarding legal disputes and the ongoing “Negreira case” in Spain—has fractured the partnership between the two Spanish giants.
With Barcelona’s exit, Real Madrid and its president, Florentino Pérez, now stand as the only remaining founding members of the European Super League Company. Analysts suggest this move effectively delivers a “death blow” to the project’s viability, as a league consisting of a single club cannot exist.
