LaLiga president Javier Tebas once said Florentino Perez ‘always wins’ but when it comes to the European Super League, he’s going to have to admit defeat.
The failed project from 2021 saw nine of the 12 founding clubs drop out almost instantly due to fan backlash and now four years later there’s only one left.
Juventus, one of the remaining three, had already called it a day, and now Barcelona are doing the same to leave Real Madrid on their own.
“Barça has a clear position, and those affected and those responsible already know it,” president Joan Laporta said of his side returning to the EFC.
“We’re in favour of peace because there’s room to explore together for the clubs in the Super League to return to UEFA.
“We feel very close to UEFA and the EFC. It’s important that we’re there and that we implement everything that can be improved, both at UEFA and the EFC.”
Outlets across Europe took that as the final nail in the coffin for the ESL, with Julio Pulido of leading Spanish radio station Cadena SER saying: “Florentino knows he’s lost and now he’s dealing with the defeat.”
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi also spoke about Barcelona’s return to the EFC and was happy to be right about the ESL.
“The Super League was dead before it even started,” he said.
“It’s a pleasure to have them back. Everyone is returning, except Madrid. We don’t need another competition; the Champions League is the best.”
Speaking of Laporta, he continued: “He’s our friend, we’ve been friends, and as I said in my speech, friends can sometimes disagree, but they always make up.
“And, of course, Joan is here; this is a statement from him. He believes in the EFC. And, of course, he was very proud, very happy to be here. That’s what he told me, too.
“It’s not about the Super League, it’s about bringing everyone back to the family. And we’ve been honoured and happy, everyone, all the clubs, not just the board, everyone has been very happy to have Barcelona back.
“I had a good dinner with Laporta, we had a romantic walk in Rome (laughs). He’s a great guy. And what he’s done, obviously, for the club, for Barcelona, in a difficult financial situation, he came and helped the team again. We French say ‘chapeau’. We’re very happy to have Laporta back.”
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