Spanish sources have reported on major strategic developments concerning the financial future of FC Barcelona. It is reported that a high-level delegation from the Catalan club will hold a crucial meeting with Saudi officials on the sidelines of the Spanish Super Cup matches, scheduled to be held in the Kingdom in January 2026. The parties are expected to meet between January 7-11, coinciding with Barcelona's presence in Saudi Arabia for the competition. The purpose of the meeting is to present a comprehensive project to buy the club for 10 billion euros, in exchange for the club's shares or 49% of its ownership. The tournament in Saudi Arabia will serve as an ideal platform for exchanging proposals regarding what could be the largest deal in the history of the Catalan club. This move indicates a serious and direct Saudi interest in investing in one of the world's biggest clubs, and this massive investment could change the economic landscape of Barcelona, which is currently facing significant financial difficulties. Spanish football fans are eagerly awaiting heavyweight matches in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth time. The Spanish Football Federation has signed a contract with the Kingdom to host the Super Cup regularly until 2029. Saudi Arabia has hosted the tournament since it was converted to a four-team competition in the 2019-2020 season (instead of a single match between the league champion and cup winner). The Super Cup in its new format has only been absent from Saudi Arabia in the 2020-2021 season, when it was held in Spain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last edition featured an exciting final between the giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, which ended in a surprise 5-2 victory for the Blaugrana at the Jewel Stadium in Jeddah. After Barcelona won the domestic double (La Liga and the Copa del Rey), and Real Madrid finished as runners-up in both competitions, the third and fourth-placed teams in La Liga participate in the Spanish Super Cup. Four teams are participating in this year's Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona (La Liga champions), Real Madrid (runners-up), Atlético Madrid (third place), and Athletic Bilbao (fourth place).
