A giant is in decline. After being eliminated early Wednesday from the group stage of the Champions League for the second consecutive season, Barcelona continues to bleed financial losses coinciding with the erosion of its prestige as one of the most prominent clubs in Europe.

Despite the luxurious transfers in the summer period, the Catalan team achieved a painful start to the Champions League season, with its official exclusion on Wednesday, with a humiliating loss at home against Bayern Munich, who previously qualified, with three clean goals.

A decade ago, Barcelona was at its peak, with a "tiki-taka" style based on possession and short passes, led by the feat coach Pep Guardiola (2008-2012), and the implementation of the Argentine genius Lionel Messi and his assistants Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, the current coach.

Once again, the club falls prey to the relegation to the European League, by occupying third place in its third group with only 4 points in 5 matches, compared to 15 for Bayern and 10 for Inter.

Despite this, Barcelona remains among the 5 richest clubs in the world. According to the European Financial League study published by Deloitte every year, Barcelona generated revenues of 582 million euros in the 2020-2021 season, more than Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea, England.

Its Camp Nou stadium is still the largest in Europe (99,000 spectators), and is preparing for a beautiful renovation campaign.

The training center for its players is still one of the best in the world, and the two prominent midfielders Pedri and Gavi have recently graduated from it on the continental and international arenas with the Spain national team.

At the age of 18, Gavi has played 12 caps so far and Pedri 14 matches at the age of 19!

After rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona is the most followed club on social media, with about 260 million followers (about 280 million for the royal team).

Sadio Mane opens the scoring for Bayern Munich and increases Barcelona's troubles 🤦 ♂️ # Champions League # Barcelona # Bayern Munich pic.twitter.com/APOFc6A94n

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) October 26, 2022

acknowledgment of failure

But the stadium's accounts did not match the accounts of the new Barcelona administration, which sought in various ways to balance its financial numbers and cover its debts.

Huge sponsorship deal with Spotify, mortgaging all assets and spending €143m in the last transfer window.

But the Blaugrana was again excluded from the group stage in the richest tournaments.

This has not happened in two consecutive seasons since 1998-1999.

An explicit acknowledgment of failing against historical rivals Real Madrid, who defeated them 3-1 in the last Clasico at the Bernabeu, and relishes their Champions League and Spanish League titles.

Barcelona fears the worst after returning from the suspension of the World Cup in Qatar (November 20 - December 18).

Barcelona was greatly affected last season by its early European elimination, the departure of its legend Messi to Paris Saint-Germain and the economic shocks that hit its pillars.

Last spring, he was knocked out of the Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt (3-2, 1-1) who later won the title.

20 million euros in losses

Aside from the psychological aspect, this exclusion cost Barcelona dearly.

On October 9, during the General Assembly, the management presented a record provisional budget of €1.255 billion.

Given that the team will reach at least the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

By exiting the group stage, Barcelona would have lost the rewards of merit from the European Union (UEFA): 9.6 million euros to qualify for the final price, and 10.6 million to reach the quarter-finals.

The total lost profit is €20.2 million and will not be compensated even in the event of the Europa League title (winner's prize pool is €14.4 million).

Not to mention the losses due to poor results in the group stage, the volume of ticket sales and derivative products decreased, with less interest in the Europa League matches compared to the Champions League.

It is hard to believe that Barcelona will regain its glow even in the event of winning the Europa League title, knowing that it is still one of the instigators of the launch of the European Super League split from the first continental competition, the Champions League.