Laporta explains Barcelona’s decision to exit the Super League: ‘A project that had been falling apart’

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has ended months of speculation by confirming that the club’s withdrawal from the European Super League was driven by a deteriorating business case, mounting costs, and strained relations with fellow hold-out Real Madrid.

Speaking exclusively to the club’s official media channels, Laporta said the Catalans concluded that the breakaway competition “could no longer be implemented” and had become “only expenses for us,” with no tangible upside. The decision leaves Real Madrid as the sole remaining Spanish flag-bearer for the project spearheaded by Florentino Pérez.

Laporta revealed that Barcelona’s exit was timed to coincide with a broader rapprochement with European football’s governing bodies. “We followed the proper procedure for leaving, giving the required notice,” he stressed, adding that the move “served as an experience with UEFA, allowing them to understand certain aspects of our approach” and directly influenced subsequent tweaks to the Champions League format.

Equally decisive, according to the president, was the increasingly toxic dynamic with Madrid. “We weren’t comfortable because our relationship with Real Madrid isn’t good, and it’s difficult to live with this constant discomfort,” Laporta admitted.

Barcelona have now re-joined the European Club Association—rebranded as the EFC—and repaired ties with both UEFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation. Laporta highlighted “constant and fluid communication” with RFEF president Pedro Rocha and described relations with UEFA counterpart Aleksander Čeferin as “very fluid,” extending to the entire executive committee and EFC leadership.

“I’m satisfied because we’ve contributed to peace within the sport,” Laporta concluded. “The football family must be united.”