Barcelona withdraws from the European Super League project
Barcelona has officially announced its withdrawal from the European Super League project, leaving Real Madrid as the sole remaining defender of the initiative.
On Saturday, Barcelona, the reigning champions of La Liga, declared its formal withdrawal from the European Super League project, which had briefly threatened to rival the UEFA Champions League. The club made this announcement through a statement on its official social media platforms, confirming that they have informed the Super League company and the involved clubs of their decision. This marks a significant shift in the landscape of European football, as Real Madrid now stands as the only club still supporting the controversial venture.
The Super League project was initially launched in 2021 with the intent to overhaul European club football by favoring the largest and wealthiest teams. However, the proposal faced an intense backlash from fans, government opposition, and strong resistance from football governing bodies. This backlash was so severe that it led to the project's collapse within days of its announcement, with many clubs retracting their involvement.
Barcelona's withdrawal can be seen as a move to align itself with the traditional football structure and the community, adhering to fan sentiment and regulatory pressures. Club president Joan Laporta hinted at the possibility of returning to UEFA in a statement earlier this year, indicating a change in strategy that embraces collaboration within the established framework of European football rather than secession into an elite league.