Barcelona Women are confronting an unprecedented financial crisis that threatens to dismantle one of Europe’s most successful teams. With a €1 million deficit requiring immediate attention, the Catalan club faces the stark reality of additional player departures this summer, having already lost key stars to balance their accounts under strict La Liga Financial Fair Play regulations.
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Barcelona’s Financial Fair Play Crisis Deepens
Barcelona Women’s financial troubles have reached critical levels, with Spanish outlet El Periodico revealing that the women’s team requires €1 million to balance their accounts. Despite implementing salary cuts and facilitating player departures throughout the summer transfer window, these measures have proven insufficient to correct the mounting deficit.
The club’s predicament stems from La Liga’s decision to include women’s and youth team budgets within the same Financial Fair Play calculations as the men’s first team. This unprecedented move has severely restricted Barcelona’s ability to maintain their competitive edge, forcing them to operate with just 17 registered players for the 2025 season.
Current Squad Limitations
| Category | Current Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Players | 17 total | Below minimum competitive level |
| Financial Deficit | €1 million | Requires immediate correction |
| FFP Status | Restricted | Limits signings and renewals |
| Youth Academy | Weakened | Players leaving for better opportunities |
High-Profile Departures Already Confirmed
Barca Femeni has already witnessed the exodus of several world-class players, each departure representing both a financial necessity and a significant sporting loss. The club’s inability to retain top talent highlights the severity of their current predicament.
Major Summer Departures
Completed Transfers:
- Ingrid Engen: Joined Olympique Lyon after contract expiration
- Ellie Roebuck: Moved to Aston Villa after mutual contract termination
- Fridolina Rolfo: Reportedly considering Malmö offer after contract termination
- Bruna Vilamala: Transferred to Club América (Mexico)
- Martina Fernandez: Switched to Everton
- Jana Fernández: Joined London City Lionesses due to FFP compliance
Departure Impact Analysis
| Player | Position | Destination | Transfer Type | Financial Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ingrid Engen | Midfielder | Olympique Lyon | Free transfer | Salary relief |
| Ellie Roebuck | Goalkeeper | Aston Villa | Mutual termination | Wage reduction |
| Fridolina Rolfo | Forward | Malmö (rumored) | Mutual termination | Significant savings |
| Bruna Vilamala | Forward | Club América | Transfer fee | Revenue + wage relief |
| Jana Fernández | Defender | London City Lionesses | FFP-driven sale | Modest fee |
Star Players at Risk: Bonmatí and Putellas Under Scrutiny
Perhaps most alarmingly for Barcelona supporters, reports suggest that even their biggest stars are not immune to potential departures. Sources indicate that Aitana Bonmatí or Alexia Putellas could be sacrificed to raise approximately €2 million, representing a devastating blow to both the team’s sporting ambitions and global brand appeal.
Both players featured prominently in Spain’s Euro 2025 final, alongside five other Barcelona teammates: Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Claudia Pina, Salma Paralluelo, and recent signing Laia Aleixandri. The potential loss of either Ballon d’Or winner would signal the depth of Barcelona’s financial desperation.
La Liga’s Financial Fair Play Stranglehold
The root of Barcelona’s women’s team crisis lies in La Liga’s controversial decision to incorporate all club sections under unified Financial Fair Play regulations. Previously, the women’s team operated with greater financial autonomy, but they now face the same restrictions as the heavily indebted men’s side.
FFP Impact Breakdown
Current Restrictions:
- Any women’s team signing affects the men’s team budget
- No room for losses across any club section
- Strict salary caps based on overall club revenue
- Limited registration possibilities for new players
Barcelona’s FFP Request: The club has formally requested La Liga to separate women’s and youth team budgets from the men’s first team calculations. This plea for financial independence reflects their understanding that the current system threatens the long-term viability of their women’s program.
Youth Academy Exodus Compounds Crisis
Beyond the first team departures, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy—long considered the foundation of their success—faces its own crisis. Promising talents are leaving for leagues offering “more resources and opportunities,” undermining the club’s traditional development model.
Youth Departures
Notable Academy Losses:
- Judit Pujols: Left Barça B team
- Onyeka Gamero: Departed for better opportunities
- Multiple undisclosed academy talents seeking opportunities elsewhere
This youth exodus represents a long-term threat to Barcelona’s sustainability, as their academy has historically provided both sporting success and financial value through player development and occasional sales.
Competitive Impact: Champions League Concerns
Barcelona’s reduced squad size raises serious concerns about their ability to compete across multiple fronts. With only 17 registered players, the team faces potential exhaustion and vulnerability to injuries, particularly problematic given their ambitions in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The timing is particularly cruel, coming after a successful domestic campaign where they won the Spanish title, though they suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final, losing to Arsenal. The prospect of competing in Europe’s premier competition with such a depleted squad threatens their status as continental contenders.
Squad Depth Analysis
| Position | Registered Players | Adequacy Level |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Limited options | Concerning |
| Defenders | Below optimal | Vulnerable |
| Midfielders | Core intact | Manageable |
| Forwards | Significantly reduced | Critical shortage |
Global Market Shifts Challenge Barcelona’s Dominance
The departures reflect broader changes in women’s football economics, where Barcelona no longer holds the same financial supremacy that once made them the destination of choice for elite players. The emergence of better-funded leagues, particularly in England and the United States, has created unprecedented competition for talent retention.
Market Challenges:
- Higher salaries offered by WSL and NWSL clubs
- Modern infrastructure in competing leagues
- Growing competitiveness reducing Barcelona’s appeal
- Currency and economic factors affecting negotiations
Potential Solutions and Future Outlook
Despite the current crisis, Barcelona maintains certain advantages that could facilitate recovery. Their global brand recognition, historical success, and tradition of excellence remain valuable assets in attracting and retaining talent.
Recovery Strategy Options
Short-term Measures:
- Continued salary restructuring
- Strategic player sales targeting expiring contracts
- Youth team promotions to fill squad gaps
- Renegotiation of existing player terms
Long-term Solutions:
- Revenue diversification initiatives
- Enhanced commercial partnerships
- Academy investment and retention programs
- Lobbying for favorable FFP rule changes
Contract Situation Analysis
Adding to Barcelona’s concerns, reports indicate that half of their women’s squad is entering the final year of their contracts. This situation creates additional uncertainty and potential for further departures, as players approach free agency with increased negotiating power.
Contract Expiry Risks
Key Players in Final Contract Year:
- Alexia Putellas (captain and Ballon d’Or winner)
- Multiple international stars
- Core squad members with leverage
- Young talents considering moves
The club faces the delicate balance of retaining key players while managing financial constraints, a challenge that may require creative contract structures or difficult choices about player priorities.
FAQs
How much money do Barcelona Women need to balance their accounts?
Barcelona Women require €1 million to balance their accounts, according to Spanish outlet El Periodico. Despite salary cuts and player sales, the deficit remains uncorrected, necessitating further departures.
Why are women’s team finances linked to the men’s team at Barcelona?
La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules now include women’s and youth team budgets within the same calculations as the men’s first team, meaning any Barcelona Women signing affects the men’s team budget allocation.
Which high-profile players have already left Barcelona Women this summer?
Major departures include Ingrid Engen (Lyon), Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa), Fridolina Rolfo (likely Malmö), Bruna Vilamala (Club América), and Jana Fernández (London City Lionesses).
Could Alexia Putellas or Aitana Bonmatí be sold to raise funds?
Reports suggest that either Aitana Bonmatí or Alexia Putellas could potentially be sold to raise approximately €2 million, though no official confirmation has been provided by the club.
How many registered players does Barcelona Women currently have?
Barcelona Women currently have only 17 registered players for the 2025 season due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, raising concerns about squad depth and injury vulnerability.
