Real Madrid have reportedly considered the possibility of leaving La Liga, citing allegations of a perceived agenda against the club in Spanish football, allegedly driven by league president Javier Tebas. Along with their long-time rivals Barcelona, Madrid has continued to support the ‘Super League’ project, which ultimately collapsed in the spring of 2021 after nine of its 12 founding clubs backed out due to widespread public backlash. Juventus also abandoned the project last year.
According to SPORT, Real Madrid is said to be “exasperated” in Spain, feeling like a “victim of a system that punishes it more than others.” The club believes that Tebas has “united all the clubs against them,” a sentiment supposedly reinforced by his reaction to a letter from Madrid protesting against refereeing decisions.
The Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional (LFP), the governing body for Spain’s top two divisions, is also said to be “united against” Real Madrid, further fueling the club’s frustration.
While Madrid continues to explore ways to make the Super League a reality, leaving La Liga for another domestic league abroad is not a simple option. It would require FIFA’s approval to exit the Spanish football system, along with support from a potential host league and UEFA’s approval, with whom the club remains at odds due to the Super League controversy.
Florentino Pérez, Real Madrid’s president, remains a central figure in pushing the Super League forward.
Theoretically, Madrid could “request asylum” in leagues like the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, or Serie A, though such a move would be unprecedented for a club of their stature. The potential benefits for these leagues would include a higher sporting level and increased global exposure, which could lead to a significant rise in income.
While it’s uncommon for a top-tier club to play outside their domestic league, there are examples of teams in similar situations. For instance, clubs from Andorra, including Gerard Piqué’s FC Andorra, play in Spain’s football pyramid below La Liga. Welsh clubs such as Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Wrexham also compete in the English football system, and Canadian teams like Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, and CF Montreal participate in Major League Soccer, which is common across several sports.
AS Monaco offers another rare example. The club, based in the microstate of Monaco, has been part of the French football system since its founding in 1924, as there is no domestic football competition in Monaco.
