Five years after launching the European Super League project alongside eleven other clubs, Real Madrid remains the only team still involved. This afternoon, the Madrid club announced its exit from the project after reaching an agreement with UEFA.
This marks the end of a long standoff between Real Madrid and UEFA. On the night of April 18, 2021, three Spanish clubs, three Italian teams, and six English sides officially kicked off the European Super League project. The explosive announcement explained that the twelve founding clubs — AC Milan, Arsenal, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Tottenham — aimed to create a competition that would offer higher quality matches and additional financial resources for all of European football. The pandemic had worsened the instability of the current economic model, making a new strategic and commercial approach necessary, according to them.
Quickly, the controversy erupted. UEFA threatened to exclude participating clubs from the Champions League, and public and political pressure quickly forced several teams to back down. The English and Italian clubs, along with Atlético de Madrid, withdrew, while PSG, initially interested, fiercely opposed the project.
Over time, only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona remained committed. The Blaugranas finally exited the project on February 7, leaving Casa Blanca alone against UEFA. Four days later, the European Super League was definitively buried.
In a statement, Real Madrid officially confirmed its withdrawal after reaching an agreement with UEFA and the European Football Clubs (EFC): “UEFA, the EFC, and Real Madrid C. F. have reached an agreement for the good of European club football. This principle agreement, respecting sporting merit, aims for the long-term viability of clubs and the enhancement of the supporter experience through technology. It will also resolve legal disputes related to the European Super League once a final agreement is implemented.”
Thus ends a saga that lasted nearly five years, putting an end to one of the most controversial projects in the history of European football.
