Barcelona, a global benchmark in women’s football, is grappling with a financial crisis shaking its structure in 2025. With an estimated €1 million (R$6 million) deficit, the Catalan club, based in Barcelona, Spain, is implementing salary cuts and negotiating player departures to balance its books. The inclusion of the women’s team in LaLiga’s financial fair play calculations, alongside the men’s team, heightens the pressure, limiting renewals and signings. This unprecedented measure aims to avoid losses but jeopardizes competitiveness. The exodus of players from the main squad and youth teams to more lucrative leagues worries fans and management, as the club seeks solutions to maintain its dominance.
- Key departures from the main squad: Ingrid Engen, Ellie Roebuck, Bruna Vilamala.
- Impact on youth team: Judit Pujols and Onyeka Gamero leave the B team.
- Measures taken: salary cuts and player sales.
- Challenge: maintaining competitiveness in national and international tournaments.
The situation reflects a delicate moment for the club, which must balance austerity with maintaining its status in women’s football.
Measures to address the deficit
Barcelona faces a challenging financial scenario, with a €1 million deficit in women’s football, as reported by the Spanish newspaper El Periódico. To meet financial fair play requirements, the club has resorted to salary cuts and player sales. These actions, though necessary, directly impact the squad, with key players leaving. The pressure to balance the books is heightened by the integration of women’s football into LaLiga’s financial rules, which now monitor the modality’s spending alongside the men’s team.
The club, historically notable for the self-sustainability of its women’s football, now struggles to maintain its structure. Selling assets, such as broadcasting rights and studio shares, was used in the past but does not solve the current issue. Joan Laporta’s management seeks new sponsorships and revenue streams, such as €28 million from investors for VIP seats at Spotify Camp Nou, to ease the crisis.
- Strategies adopted: salary reductions and player negotiations.
- Expected revenue: €28 million from stadium investors.
- Obstacle: strict LaLiga financial fair play rules.
- Goal: avoid losses without compromising competitiveness.
The pursuit of financial balance demands tough decisions that may affect on-field performance.
‼️Quais são as nossas opções de jogadoras da base para a temporada 25/26?
— Barça Women Brasil (@BarcaBrasilW) August 10, 2025
➡️ Vamos analisar cada um dos destaques do Barça B que fará parte do time principal.
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Player departures and squad impact
The financial crisis has led to several player departures from the main and youth squads, weakening the team. Names like Ingrid Engen, who moved to Olympique de Lyon, and Bruna Vilamala, now at Club América in Mexico, have left the main squad. These transfers reflect the need to cut costs but also highlight the challenge of retaining talent in a competitive market.
In the B team, the situation is equally concerning. Prospects like Judit Pujols, who signed with VfL Wolfsburg, and Onyeka Gamero, transferred to Bay FC in the United States, have moved to more financially attractive leagues. These losses jeopardize the club’s future, which has always invested in youth development.
- Main squad players who left:
- Ingrid Engen (Olympique de Lyon).
- Ellie Roebuck (Aston Villa).
- Bruna Vilamala (Club América).
- Martina Fernández (Everton).
- Fridolina Rolfö (without a club).
- Impact on youth: loss of talents to European and American clubs.
- Challenge: renewing contracts for stars like Alexia Putellas.
Despite the retention of players like Alexia Putellas and Marta Torrejón until 2026, contract renewals remain limited by financial constraints.
Financial fair play rules and their consequences
The inclusion of women’s football in LaLiga’s financial fair play calculations marked a significant change in 2025. Previously, the modality operated with greater financial autonomy, but it is now subject to the same restrictions as the men’s team. This means Barcelona must maintain a balance between revenue and expenses, with no room for losses, unlike other club sections like basketball or handball.
LaLiga’s rules limit spending on salaries and signings, complicating the registration of new players. In the men’s team, names like Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford still await registration, highlighting the financial pressure. For women’s football, the situation is worsened by the need for cuts in an already reduced squad, which may compromise performance in competitions like the Women’s Champions League.
- Financial fair play rules:
- Balance between revenue and expenses.
- Salary spending limits.
- Restrictions on registering new players.
- Inclusion of women’s football in financial calculations.
- Consequence: player exits and renewal difficulties.
Barcelona must find creative solutions to meet requirements without sacrificing its on-field strength.
Strategies to maintain competitiveness
Despite the crisis, Barcelona aims to maintain its position as a women’s football benchmark. The club is investing in sponsorship negotiations, such as the deal with Nike, described by Joan Laporta as the “best sports equipment contract in the world.” Additionally, the Spotify Camp Nou renovation, though costly, promises increased revenue from VIP ticket sales and events.
The management also focuses on retaining key players like Alexia Putellas to lead the squad. However, the loss of young talents raises concerns, as the youth system has always been a pillar of the club’s success. Barcelona faces the challenge of balancing austerity with strategic investments to avoid losing ground in international competitions.
- Club initiatives:
- New Nike contract.
- Revenue from VIP seats at Camp Nou.
- Focus on retaining experienced players.
- Risk: weakening the youth system with prospect departures.
The club’s adaptability will be crucial for the future of Catalan women’s football.
International landscape and competition
Barcelona’s financial crisis coincides with the global growth of women’s football. Leagues like the English and American ones are attracting more investment, offering competitive salaries and top-tier infrastructure. Clubs like Olympique de Lyon and Bay FC capitalize on the situation to sign Barcelona players, increasing pressure on the Spanish club.
The departure of players to these leagues reflects a shifting market, where Barcelona no longer holds the same financial supremacy. To reverse this, the club must diversify revenue sources and invest in talent retention. The Barça brand’s strength, combined with its history of achievements, remains an advantage, but swift action is needed to maintain competitiveness.
- Factors attracting players to other leagues:
- Higher salaries.
- Modern infrastructure.
- Competitiveness of English and American leagues.
- Barcelona’s advantage: tradition and global visibility.
The club faces a pivotal moment to adapt to the new women’s football landscape.
