Real Madrid has officially announced an agreement of principles with UEFA and the European Football Clubs (EFC), marking the formal end of the controversial European Super League project that has dominated European football discourse since 2021. The announcement came Wednesday following months of negotiations, signaling the conclusion of a tumultuous five-year saga that threatened to tear apart the continent’s football structure.
The Historic Agreement
UEFA, European Football Clubs, and Real Madrid CF announced that they have reached an agreement of principles for the well-being of European club football, respecting the principle of sporting merit with emphasis on long-term club sustainability and the enhancement of fan experience through the use of technology. The agreement will also serve to resolve all legal disputes related to the European Super League once the principles are executed and implemented.
Real Madrid, under the leadership of club president Florentino Pérez, had been the last remaining founder club committed to the breakaway competition after Barcelona’s withdrawal just days prior.
Timeline of the Super League Saga
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | European Super League announced by 12 clubs |
| April 2021 (48 hours later) | Six English clubs withdraw under pressure |
| 2022 | UEFA expands Champions League to 36-team format |
| 2024 | Remaining Italian and Spanish clubs withdraw |
| February 2026 | Barcelona formally exits the Super League |
| February 2026 | Real Madrid agrees peace deal with UEFA |
The Original Super League Founding Clubs
| Club | Country | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Spain | Remained committed until February 2026 |
| Barcelona | Spain | Withdrawn February 2026 |
| Manchester United | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Manchester City | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Liverpool | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Arsenal | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Chelsea | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Tottenham | England | Withdrawn April 2021 |
| Juventus | Italy | Withdrawn 2024 |
| AC Milan | Italy | Withdrawn 2024 |
| Inter Milan | Italy | Withdrawn 2024 |
| Atletico Madrid | Spain | Withdrawn 2024 |
What Changed Real Madrid’s Position?
As recently as November, Madrid president Florentino Pérez said he was “more convinced than ever” of victory in the row, saying Madrid would “tirelessly pursue” the club’s right to organise its own competition and seek damages from UEFA. The dramatic reversal came after Barcelona’s departure left Madrid completely isolated among the founding clubs.
Sources indicate that discussions between Florentino Pérez and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, who chairs the European Football Clubs group, played a crucial role in facilitating the peace agreement. The negotiations focused on finding common ground regarding financial sustainability and sporting integrity in European club football.
Legal Disputes Resolution
Real Madrid had pursued legal action against UEFA after the Spanish Court of Justice ruled that opposition to the Super League “prevented free competition.” The club, along with A22 Sports Management, was seeking approximately $4 billion in damages. The agreement of principles now paves the way for resolving these disputes without protracted litigation.
Impact on European Football
The collapse of the Super League represents a significant victory for UEFA, fan groups, and football’s traditional structure. The refusal of Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich to join the Super League played a part in its quick downfall. These two major clubs’ decisions to maintain their commitment to existing European competitions were instrumental in the project’s failure to gain critical mass.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have continued earning substantial revenues from the reformed Champions League, which was expanded to 36 teams with a league phase format in 2024-25. This expansion addressed many of the clubs’ original concerns regarding fixture congestion and financial inequality.
The Peace Terms
The agreement emphasizes three key principles: respect for sporting merit, long-term club sustainability, and enhanced fan experiences through technological innovation. These elements suggest that UEFA has integrated several demands that originally motivated the Super League’s creation.
The reformed Champions League structure, which increased competitive matches and prize money distribution, appears to have satisfied Real Madrid’s primary objectives without requiring a breakaway competition.
What’s Next?
With Real Madrid now aligned with UEFA and the European Football Clubs association, the European Super League is officially defunct. The club is expected to rejoin formal participation in the European Club Association’s governance structures.
The agreement opens the door for normalized relations and collaborative discussions on future continental football formats.
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