FC Barcelona has announced its formal withdrawal from the European Super League (ESL), leaving Real Madrid as the only major club still backing the controversial project. The club informed the 'European Super League Company' and its fellow member clubs of its decision over the weekend. The ESL was first proposed in 2021, aiming to benefit the richest and most elite football clubs in Europe by creating a closed league structure that eliminated the promotion and relegation model traditionally seen in football. The announcement has generated significant media attention given the backlash the ESL faced from fans and football organizations alike.

The public outcry against the concept of the Super League was considerable, leading many English clubs to distance themselves early on from the project. While FC Barcelona and Real Madrid persisted initially, Juventus, another founding member, withdrew in the summer of 2023. The growing resentment from fans reflected broader concerns about the commercial direction of football and its disconnection from the community aspect of the sport. Barcelona's exit underscores the waning support for the ESL concept and highlights the challenges football clubs face amid the evolving landscape of sports management and fan engagement.

This move opens up questions about the future of elite football competitions and whether clubs will reconsider more inclusive structures that can appease both fan expectations and operational financial realities. The ESL's original goal to be a lucrative alternative to existing tournaments is now in jeopardy, as Barcelona's decision may signal the collapse of the initiative and prompt a re-evaluation of how European football is governed.