FC Barcelona successfully registered Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor, overcoming financial hurdles just as they prepare to face Athletic Club for the Supercopa de España title. This triumph followed weeks of uncertainty and was celebrated as pivotal for the club’s financial health.
After beating Athletic Bilbao 2-0 on January 8, 2025, at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Barcelona secured their place in the Supercopa final. Gavi opened the scoring for the Catalan giants before Lamine Yamal sealed the victory early in the second half.
Prior to this match, the registration of Olmo and Víctor had been clouded by La Liga's stringent wage cap restrictions, with their possible absence looming large over the team. The situation escalated when La Liga initially denied Barcelona's request to register the players, citing concerns about the club’s financial stability.
Despite the setbacks, the Higher Sports Council (CSD) intervened, granting Barcelona provisional permission to register both players. This measure came after the club filed an appeal to challenge La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The CSD’s statement noted this precaution was necessary to avoid serious economic and sporting harm to the players and the club.
Dani Olmo, who joined from RB Leipzig for £51 million, echoed the struggles as he awaited registration confirmation. The final decision on his and Víctor's status is expected within three months, giving hope to fans eager to see their contributions on the field.
Raphinha, Barcelona's captain, voiced the challenges affiliated with the club's registration issues. "If I'm to be honest, and I don't like to lie: if I were at another club and I saw the situations of Pau and Dani, I might think twice before signing here," he remarked, shedding light on how these complications could deter potential signings for the future.
La Liga and the RFEF had previously rejected the club's approaches, resulting in Barcelona needing to make strategic financial movements, such as external sales of VIP boxes from their revamped stadium at Spotify Camp Nou, potentially worth €100-120 million. Following these transactions, La Liga greenlit additional documentation submitted by Barcelona, enabling the club to navigate through the financial fair play obstacles.
This recent turn of events is seen as pivotal not only for maintaining the roster but also for securing the club's financial future as they aim to return to former glories. The current twist arrived at the right time as fans are hopeful for the Supercopa final against either Real Madrid or Mallorca.
With Olmo and Víctor able to participate again, all eyes are on the upcoming matches. Barcelona's resolve to tackle their financial trials, reflected through their players and management's response, shows resilience and ambition.
Despite the recent turbulence, the atmosphere around the club may shift positively as they seek to turn the tide this season. The home crowd will be eager to witness how the newly registered players influence the team's path to success as they chase down their goals across competitions.