Barcelona is in trouble again after Dani Olmo, their big summer signing, was removed from La Liga’s list of registered players. As of January 1, Olmo and Pau Víctor are no longer eligible to play because the club couldn’t meet La Liga’s financial rules.
Olmo, a £51 million signing and Euro 2024 winner with Spain, was temporarily registered for the first half of the season. He scored six goals in 15 games, but Barcelona failed to register him for the rest of the season. A court rejected their appeal twice, saying there wasn’t enough reason to allow his registration.
This failure has added to the problems inside the club, exposing deeper financial and management issues.
Why Can’t Olmo Play?
- Sporting Impact:
Barcelona is losing a key player who has been important this season. If things don’t change, Olmo could leave for free. - Financial Problems:
The club owes RB Leipzig €48 million (£40m) for Olmo’s transfer and must also pay his full wages as part of his contract, which runs until 2030. This adds a €120 million (£100m) financial burden. - Reputation Damage:
This issue has embarrassed the club and put President Joan Laporta under pressure. His leadership has been questioned as the club struggles with ongoing problems.
What Went Wrong?
Laporta and his team have made several mistakes. Key leadership roles have been left empty, and the club lost two legal battles to register Olmo and Víctor.
Barcelona also tried to get help from the Spanish Football Federation, but La Liga rules don’t allow a player to be registered twice in one season.
A last-minute plan to sell VIP seats at the new Spotify Camp Nou also failed. While the money was eventually paid, Barcelona didn’t submit the right paperwork before La Liga’s deadline.
Barcelona’s Money Issues
The Olmo crisis is part of Barcelona’s bigger financial struggles.
- Debt Problems:
The club’s debt is over €1 billion due to years of bad management. The €1.5 billion renovation of the Spotify Camp Nou has made things worse. - Failed Sales:
A plan to sell part of their media business in 2022 fell apart, leading to a €141 million loss. - Short-Term Thinking:
Laporta’s approach of selling assets for quick cash has hurt the club’s long-term future, leaving fans frustrated.
What Happens Next?
Barcelona is trying to fix the situation, but their options are limited.
- Player Contracts:
The club may end Olmo and Víctor’s contracts, allowing them to leave as free agents. Olmo, however, is happy at Barcelona for now and hasn’t shown interest in leaving. - Future Plans:
Barcelona hopes to re-sign the players in the summer, but this depends on solving their financial problems.
This crisis isn’t just about money or players—it’s about the future of Barcelona. Fans are questioning the club’s direction as it struggles to recover its identity and stability. Until then, both Barcelona and Olmo remain stuck in uncertainty.