In a major boost for FC Barcelona, the club successfully registered two key players, Joan García and Marcus Rashford, just hours before their La Liga opener against Mallorca. This move alleviates concerns about the club's ability to comply with La Liga's financial fair play regulations and ensures that manager Hansi Flick has more options as Barcelona starts its title defense.
The registration process proved to be a nail-biting experience for Barcelona fans. Club President Joan Laporta acknowledged the difficulties stemming from the stringent financial fair play rules but commended Sporting Director Deco for navigating the complexities and finalizing the necessary paperwork in time. Laporta stated that such procedures are always "nerve-wracking".
With García and Rashford now available, Hansi Flick's squad receives valuable reinforcements. Joan García, a 23-year-old goalkeeper acquired from Espanyol, is expected to fill a crucial role, particularly with Marc-André ter Stegen sidelined due to a long-term injury. Marcus Rashford, the English forward who arrived on loan from Manchester United, is anticipated to bolster the attack, especially with Robert Lewandowski also out due to a hamstring injury.
Despite the successful registrations, Barcelona still has other players, including Tek Szczęsny, Gerard Martín, Roony Bardghji, and Marc Bernal, awaiting registration. The club hopes to resolve these remaining issues by securing La Liga's approval for the sale of VIP seats at Spotify Camp Nou, a deal valued at around €100 million. This income would allow the club to return to the 1:1 rule in financial fair play, enabling them to register players without restrictions.
Barcelona has been grappling with financial constraints for several years, struggling with a massive debt and operating under La Liga's strict salary cap regulations. The club has implemented various measures to improve its financial situation, including cutting staff costs, negotiating wage concessions from players, and generating income through avenues like selling VIP seats at the future Spotify Camp Nou.
Recently, there have been positive signs regarding Barcelona's financial health. The credit rating agency Morningstar updated the club's credit outlook from "stable" to "positive," citing improvements in financial performance over the past two seasons and the potential for stronger revenue streams with the return to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou in the 2025-2026 season. Morningstar predicts that Barcelona's revenue could reach €1.1 billion per season by 2027 if the club maintains success in La Liga and the Champions League.
In June 2025, FC Barcelona also finalized a bond issuance worth €424 million to refinance a significant portion of the debt related to Espai Barça. This move highlights the strong demand FC Barcelona continues to generate among financial investors and the positive momentum in the Club's financial health.
Despite these positive steps, Barcelona's financial challenges persist. The club had to halt planning for the 2025-26 season due to concerns over the budget. Auditors are reportedly refusing to include the €100 million sale of VIP seats in their accounts because the asset does not yet exist, creating complications with the salary limit.
To navigate these financial hurdles, Barcelona has been exploring various strategies. The club has added nearly 500 "customized" VIP seats to the Estadi Johan Cruyff to generate additional revenue. They also secured a €7 million guarantee to La Liga to comply with the 1:1 rule, a strategy they have used in the past to register players.
As Barcelona embarks on the 2025-26 La Liga season, the successful registration of García and Rashford provides a much-needed morale boost. While financial challenges remain, the club is actively working to address them and ensure that Hansi Flick has the squad he needs to compete for titles.
