Florentino Pérez has no intention of closing the European Super League chapter without consequences. Real Madrid plans to demand that the English clubs that initially joined the project contribute financially to the costs of setting it up, and a legal battle to secure the requested sum is not ruled out.
According to reports by The Athletic, the club’s leadership believes that the clubs that suddenly withdrew from the project should bear responsibility for the expenses of its implementation. The total cost could reach as much as 80 million euros, an amount that so far has been covered by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, the latter of which officially withdrew in 2023.
The Madrid club’s demand targets the English clubs that initially supported the creation of the competition, specifically Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal. However, it remains to be seen whether Real Madrid has the necessary contractual basis to force these clubs to pay their share of the expenses.
According to the sources cited, President Florentino Pérez is prepared to pursue the legal route to recover the sum he claims is owed to the Spanish club.
The European Super League was unveiled on 19 April 2021, with the aim of creating a new competition that would include some of the continent’s biggest clubs. However, the project met strong opposition and, just days after the announcement, six English clubs, along with Milan, Inter and Atletico Madrid, announced their withdrawal.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus remained linked to the initiative for a long time, but this front also gradually fell apart. On 11 February 2026, Real Madrid finally announced the end of the project, closing a long chapter of controversy in European football.