Barcelona Withdraws From European Super League Project As Real Madrid Remains

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Barcelona have confirmed withdrawal from the European Super League project, leaving Real Madrid as the sole club still aligned with the breakaway plan. The move ends Barcelona’s formal participation in the competition that was first unveiled in 2021 and drew heavy criticism across European football.

The project originally involved 12 clubs, including Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham from the Premier League. Those six English clubs rapidly stepped away after strong supporter protests, which forced a major rethink of the Super League structure and its long-term future.

In a detailed announcement issued on 7 February 2026, Barcelona confirmed that formal notice had been sent to organisers and member clubs. The club’s communication stated: "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, a club statement read."

Club president Joan Laporta had already signalled this direction in October, explaining that Barcelona intended to rebuild relations with UEFA. Laporta also indicated Barcelona wanted to rejoin the European Football Clubs, known as EFC, which previously operated as the European Clubs Association before a change of name.

Barcelona and the 11 other founding clubs were removed from the ECA when the Super League plan became public. The 10 clubs that later withdrew, including the six Premier League members, have since been readmitted to the EFC structure after ending their involvement in the breakaway project.

Juventus announced departure from the Super League project in June 2024, becoming the 10th club to exit. Barcelona’s decision on 7 February 2026 makes Barcelona the 11th founding participant to withdraw, which leaves Real Madrid as the only original member still formally committed to the Super League plan.