Following the most recent development in their ongoing dispute with La Liga and its president, Javier Tebas, Real Madrid is apparently looking for “asylum” in a rival European competition. With slightly over one-third of the 2024–25 season remaining, the defending Spanish champions sit atop the standings and hold the record for the most La Liga titles—36.
Even though they have a long history and are the biggest team in the nation, it is said that their present problems with the league’s leadership may force them to leave La Liga and try to join another domestic European level; moves to Germany, France, or Italy are reportedly being examined.
Madrid Looking to Leave La Liga
Club President Florentino Perez has long been trying to push the European Super League
Los Blancos are at odds with the Spanish top flight, and Tebas in particular, following what have been seen as ongoing injustices against the club, according to a report from the Spanish publication SPORT, as reported by Forbes. Refereeing calls have been the most recent of these; Jude Bellingham was sent off during a 1-1 tie with Osasuna over the weekend, which may allow Barcelona to reclaim the top spot.
According to reports, Madrid floated a possible transfer to the Premier League, the most valuable domestic football league in the world, but the first talks never materialised. This time, the Spanish powerhouses are thought to focus on a move to France’s Ligue 1, Italy’s Serie A, or Germany’s Bundesliga.
Club president Florentino Perez would need to ask FIFA for approval in order to accomplish this, but this would need to happen after La Liga gave its assent—a highly improbable scenario considering Madrid’s prominence and significance in the league.
The report also asserts that Tebas, the head of La Liga, has been waging a “anti-Madrid crusade” because he feels threatened by the prospect of the European Super League.
Latest Update on European Super League
The proposed competition underwent a rebrand in December
The disastrous European Super League, which was first announced in 2021, is thought to have been mostly caused by Perez. Six Premier League teams accepted the invitation to join the league, which would not be subject to relegation and could potentially terminate domestic league football as the largest clubs looked to leave. After supporters objected, this plan finally collapsed, and all English clubs withdrew from the agreement.
With their domestic leagues’ media rights falling far short of the Premier League’s, teams from Spain, Germany, and Italy in particular would have made more money from the competition. Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, stated in February 2024 that 15 clubs had committed to participating in a redesigned competition.
Later, in December, a rebranding was revealed, and the competition was renamed the ‘Unify League,’ with a completely new framework. However, it would not cause teams to abandon their domestic responsibilities; rather, it was viewed as a competitor to the Champions League, and those involved sought UEFA’s formal approval to establish it as the top European competition.
