Spanish football powerhouse FC Barcelona has formally withdrawn from the contentious European Super League project, leaving arch-rivals Real Madrid as the sole remaining participant in the breakaway initiative first unveiled in 2021 amid widespread backlash.
The Catalan club announced its exit on February 7, 2026, after notifying the league’s organizers and other involved teams, effectively abandoning a plan that sought to challenge UEFA’s Champions League with a closed competition featuring elite European sides.
“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 in an official release.
Originally proposed by 12 founding members—including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Tottenham, Juventus, Liverpool, AC Milan and Inter—the Super League sparked massive protests from fans and officials, prompting most clubs to pull out shortly after its launch.
No explicit reasons for Barcelona’s decision were provided in the announcement, which comes as the club navigates financial pressures and competitive challenges in domestic and European play.
