Juventus, previously aligned with both Spanish side's in advocating for a new competition to replace the Champions League, will now rejoin the European Club Association. This organisation, comprising 600 teams, has been a strong opponent of Super League initiatives.

“They are back. It is great,” ECA chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said. “The club has an amazing history. We are proud they are back to their family. I also call the others to be back.” Madrid and Barcelona are now the only two clubs attempting to establish a proposed Super League. This effort follows an initial failed launch in 2021, which was met with widespread fan protests.

Madrid president Florentino Perez remains resolute in advancing plans for a breakaway league, even though the majority of Europe’s top clubs have rejected the concept. His stance gained momentum in December when the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that football's governing bodies, UEFA and FIFA, violated EU competition law by obstructing efforts to establish a breakaway league.

Super League organisers swiftly unveiled plans for the new competition, which Perez described as a “great opportunity to improve European club football.” However, he lacked the support of many leading clubs, which had encountered intense fan backlash during their 2021 breakaway attempt.

At that time, a group of 12 of Europe’s most prestigious clubs announced plans to form a new Super League. The proposals for the 20-team elite tournament included provisions to protect 15 top teams from relegation.

The original breakaway group consisted of Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. Madrid, Barcelona, and Juventus were eventually the only clubs continuing the push for the Super League, until Italy's record 36-time champion, Juventus, withdrew last year.

Al-Khelaifi, who is also the president of Paris Saint-Germain, spoke following a meeting of the ECA Executive Committee in London. This meeting took place ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final between Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, which saw the former triumph 2-0 at Wembley.

“They can play two teams, home and away for 20 matches?”, he said. “It is not for anyone’s interest. They are going against their (own) interests today. I heard yesterday they (Madrid) talked about the love story between Madrid and the Champions League. On the other hand they want to destroy the Champions League. You love or you hate. You want to destroy the thing you hate?” Al-Khelaifi concluded.