Barcelona Withdraw from Super League Project, Leaving Real Madrid Isolated in Bid to Challenge UEFA

Written by Pavel Kateliev

Pavel Kateliev is a popular sport journalist, particularly in the fields of football, basketball, tennis, and hockey. He writes daily for Sportingpedia and his work has been translated into at least 20 languages and featured on renowned outlets such as BBC, Yahoo, MCN, Sun, and Evening News, in Italian, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

, | Updated: October 3, 2025

Key Takeaways:

Barcelona ended their involvement in the European Super League, leaving Real Madrid as the sole major supporter
The Catalan club accepted that UEFA’s Champions League reforms have addressed their previous concerns
Barcelona will now concentrate on the upcoming away fixture against Sevilla after their 2-1 defeat to PSG

Barcelona Step Away from Breakaway Competition

Barcelona have officially distanced themselves from the European Super League initiative, opting instead to back UEFA’s revamped Champions League. The club considers the recent changes to the competition’s format and financial structure sufficient to meet their requirements, marking a distinct departure from their previous support for a breakaway league. This pivot significantly alters the landscape of European football’s governance debate, isolating Real Madrid as the sole prominent backer of the Super League project.

🚨 Barcelona are officially leaving the Super League project.
The club sees that UEFA have made significant changes, such as altering the Champions League format and increasing financial returns for the top clubs.
(Source: @mundodeportivo) pic.twitter.com/6uFq7712WG
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 3, 2025

Super League’s Decline and Real Madrid’s Continued Support

The original Super League proposal, unveiled in 2021 and spearheaded by teams such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea, faced widespread opposition from fans and regulatory bodies. The initiative quickly lost momentum as English clubs exited, leaving Madrid and Barcelona as primary proponents. With Barcelona’s board now satisfied with UEFA’s new direction, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez remains the last major figure striving to keep the concept alive.

Improved Barcelona-UEFA Relations

Recent months have seen a visible warming in relations between Barcelona and UEFA. The presence of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at Montjuic stadium during Barcelona’s Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain was noted as a symbolic gesture. The club, under Joan Laporta’s leadership, feel their concerns are now being heard. While there are still legal proceedings that could affect the Super League’s status, Barcelona appear content to allow the project to subside, using it primarily as leverage in ongoing discussions with UEFA.

Upcoming Fixtures for Barcelona and Real Madrid

With their European Super League ambitions set aside, Barcelona are turning their attention back to domestic and continental competition, preparing for an away encounter against Sevilla in La Liga after suffering a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Real Madrid, meanwhile, focus on their La Liga campaign, set to face Villarreal following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Kairat Almaty in European action. The withdrawal of Barcelona reduces the Super League to an increasingly marginal role in elite football, though Florentino Perez’s commitment suggests the debate regarding UEFA’s influence remains unresolved.