Real Madrid and Barcelona pull further clear in La Liga’s financial rankings

Real Madrid have retained the highest squad-cost limit in Spain, while Barcelona have made a dramatic rise of more than €200m, underlining the growing financial divide between the two giants and the rest of La Liga.

La Liga published its official spending limits for all 42 clubs in the top two divisions on Thursday, revealing the scale of the gap between the leading sides and those operating under severe financial restrictions.

Real Madrid have topped the rankings for a second consecutive year. The club increased its limit by more than €70m, further strengthening its position as the financially strongest team in Spanish football.

The biggest change came from Barcelona. During the same summer in which the Catalan club celebrated its return to the 1:1 spending rule – allowing it to spend every euro it generates – its limit increased by more than €200m.

That rise reflects the club’s success in selling assets and reducing debt, according to the source article.

Atletico Madrid remain third, but their increase was comparatively modest at no more than €35m. The figures leave them well behind the two leading clubs in the financial standings.

Sevilla face continued financial pressure

Sevilla are at the opposite end of the table. For the second year running, the Andalusian club have the lowest squad-cost limit in the top flight, with a figure of €20.161m – lower than last season.

The restriction places significant limits on Sevilla’s planning and increases their dependence on players from their academy. It also leaves little room for error in the transfer market, with each signing needing to deliver value.

Malaga and Deportivo Alaves are also among the clubs at the bottom of the rankings.

The two promoted clubs attracted attention for different reasons. Deportivo La Coruna, back in the top division after an eight-year absence, have the 10th-lowest squad-cost limit.

Racing Santander, meanwhile, have moved out of the bottom three. Their improved position suggests their positive work in the transfer market was not accidental.

La Liga updates the spending limits regularly as part of its strict financial-control system, which is designed to prevent clubs from becoming insolvent.

The figure is not limited to players’ wages. It represents the maximum amount a club can spend on all its employees, including women’s teams and youth sides when those costs are included in the first-team budget.

Clubs that exceed their limit are prevented from registering new signings. La Liga has used that measure for years to enforce financial stability, although the system has also increased the difference between clubs with greater financial resources and those with less.