Barcelona in Big Financial Trouble After Failing to Qualify for the Champions League Knockout Stages

• Barcelona are in a big financial mess, following the Catalans early ousting from the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night
• Barca dropped down to the Europa League for the second consecutive season, following their 3-0 loss to Bayern Munich at Camp Nou
• Barcelona will now need to offload some of the club’s big players to balance their books after heavy summer spending in the transfer window

Barcelona’s financial crisis is set to deepen, following the club’s elimination from the UEFA Champions League after a disastrous group stage.

The Catalans' huge wage bill is revealed to be the main reason for the latest financial crisis, although the early Champions League exit will also play a part.

According to Sky Sports, Barcelona will need to offload some of the club’s top players including the likes of Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong to stay afloat.

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The Catalans’ total spent on salaries and amortized transfer fees for the 2021/22 season was €518million, and that number has seen an increase of 27% for the 2022/23 campaign, The Athletic reports.

Barcelona is also set to pay player salaries that were deferred in past seasons but are now due, with the likes of Pique, Busquets, De Jong and even Coutinho set to receive money.

Henrik Larsson harshly criticizes Barcelona

Meanwhile, former Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson has labeled the Catalans’ failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League as a big disappointment, Marca reports.

Larsson harshly criticised the Barcelona team for failing to meet expectations, after the club’s board massively invested in the squad during the summer.

The Swede won the 2006 UEFA Champions League with Barcelona, and was also Ronald Koeman’s assistant manager at Camp Nou before the Dutchman was sacked last season.

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Joan Laporta sends strong message to Xavi

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Barcelona president Joan Laporta has refused to blame Xavi or his players for the Catalans’ early elimination from the UEFA Champions League this season.

Barca were knocked out of Europe’s most prestigious club competition in the group stages for the second consecutive season, after suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich.

Laporta exonerated Xavi of any blame for the club’s UCL miseries, insisting everyone must now look for a way forward.