Barcelona have reportedly pulled out of the European Super League (ESL), leaving Real Madrid as the only remaining founding club still publicly associated with the controversial breakaway project.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Catalan club confirmed its formal withdrawal from the scheme.
“FC Barcelona informs that today it has formally communicated to the European Super League Company and the clubs involved its withdrawal from the ESL project,” the statement reads.
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The European Super League (ESL) was unveiled in April 2021 as a rival to UEFA’s Champions League, built around a largely closed 20-team model. The project collapsed within days after widespread fan backlash, political opposition and institutional resistance across Europe.
Twelve clubs initially signed on as founding members: six from the Premier League, three from Spain and three from Italy. All six English clubs, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, quickly withdrew, followed by Atlético Madrid, AC Milan and Inter.
Juventus later confirmed in 2023 that they had also exited the project, leaving only Barcelona and Real Madrid publicly linked to the ESL until now.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta had continued to express support for an alternative European competition, arguing in January 2023 that a new model could eventually emerge, initially positioning it as a potential rival to the Premier League in commercial terms.
Barcelona’s withdrawal now leaves Real Madrid isolated as the last founding club still openly tied to the ESL vision, further casting doubt over the long-term viability of any breakaway European competition.
