Barcelona’s Financial Woes Continue, And It’s Getting Ridiculous
Alright, let’s talk about FC Barcelona. It feels like every time you turn around, there’s a new headline about their financial drama, and honestly, it’s getting harder to keep track than a squirrel in a nut factory. One day they’re pulling “economic levers” that sound suspiciously like selling off parts of the club just to stay afloat, and the next they’re getting hit with fresh accusations of tax fraud. It’s a never-ending soap opera, and we’re all just here with our popcorn.
Just when you thought they were maybe, just maybe, getting their act together, ESPN reports that Barcelona has posted post-tax losses for the second year in a row. This time it’s a cool €17 million for the 2024-25 season. Add that to last year’s €91 million loss, and you’ve got a two-year hole of €108 million. Ouch.
But wait! In classic Barcelona fashion, they’re spinning this as good news. They’re quick to point out that revenue is up to an eye-watering €994 million, a whole €100 million more than last year. So, in their eyes, this is all part of the “consolidation of the club’s economic recovery.” Right. It’s like setting your house on fire but bragging that you saved the toaster. Sure, revenue is up, but you’re still losing money. That’s just basic math, isn’t it?
What’s Behind Barcelona’s “Recovery”?
So, where is this supposed recovery coming from? The club credits a new deal with Nike, better merchandise sales, and surprisingly, higher attendance at the Olympic Stadium while the iconic Camp Nou gets a facelift. They’re even predicting that they’ll finally turn a profit next season, thanks to their grand return to the newly renovated Spotify Camp Nou, which they claim will magically add an extra €50 million to their coffers. We’ll believe that when we see it.
This whole financial rollercoaster started when Joan Laporta came back as president in 2020. His first year ended with a staggering €481 million loss, which they blamed mostly on the pandemic but also on some creative accounting. Then, like a phoenix from the ashes, they posted profits for two years straight! How? By selling off future TV rights. It’s the financial equivalent of taking out a payday loan to pay your credit card bill. It looks good for a second, but the bill always comes due.
More Legal Drama for Barcelona?
As if the balance sheet wasn’t depressing enough, Barcelona is now wrapped up in yet another scandal. According to Goal.com, the club is under investigation for tax evasion related to the 2018 signing of Brazilian winger Malcom. Remember him? The guy who was on his way to Roma, only for Barcelona to swoop in at the last minute, pay €42 million, and then barely play him before shipping him off? Yeah, that guy.
The allegation is that Barcelona paid a company called Business Futbol Espana (BFE) a whopping €10 million for “intermediation services” that were either completely fake or wildly overpriced. The police suspect this was a clever way to dodge taxes. Instead of paying Malcom the full amount directly (and dealing with a 50% income tax), they allegedly rerouted €8.4 million through BFE, effectively hiding it from the taxman. It’s a bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for ’em.
This mess is just another headache for former president Josep Maria Bartomeu and his crew, who are already facing charges for mismanaging club funds and hiding payments related to the transfers of Neymar and Antoine Griezmann. It seems like creative financing was the unofficial club motto under his leadership. Investigators found altered contracts and a bunch of invoices that looked faker than a three-dollar bill.
So, What Happens Now in Barcelona?
With all this chaos, what’s next for Barcelona? The courts are still figuring out who to blame for the Malcom mess—the club itself or just the individuals involved. Laporta‘s board, trying to distance themselves from the previous administration’s dumpster fire, has apparently done a “preventive tax regularization.” That’s a fancy way of saying, “We paid what we owed before we got in even more trouble.”
On the field, they’re still a powerhouse, but off it, Barcelona seems to be in a constant state of financial peril. They’re juggling massive debts, legal battles, and the pressure to keep winning, all while trying to convince everyone that everything is fine. It’s a high-wire act, and you can’t help but wonder when it will all come crashing down. For now, Barcelona continues to be more than a club; it’s a full-blown drama series. And you better believe we’ll be watching.
