PSG-Barça: From irreconcilable to inseparable

The relationship between PSG and Barça, who take center stage in an incredible showcase of soccer at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday, is enjoying something of a honeymoon period. The two have become inseparable partners within European Football Clubs (EFC), the former ECA, which the Catalan club has now rejoined. Laporta and Al-Khelaifi, who spent years at loggerheads, are now embracing one another, to the point that, following Barça’s return to the UEFA fold, there is speculation that Laporta could become an EFC vice president at next season’s General Assembly.

The relationship between Barça and PSG finally blew up during the 2016-17 season. Until then, their dealings had largely been limited to both clubs trying to lure away the other’s players. Brazilian defender Marquinhos was one example. In November 2016, however, Barça announced it was ending its relationship with Qatar Airways as its main sponsor and switching to Rakuten, thanks to the friendship between Gerard Piqué and Hiroshi Mikitani. Although president Josep Maria Bartomeu was Sandro Rosell’s successor, and Rosell had been the architect of the agreement with the emirate, Bartomeu was aware that Barça’s members were uncomfortable with the partnership and brought it to an end. Qatar and, by extension, PSG did not take the decision well.

As fate would have it, the two clubs met in the Champions League round of 16 that season. PSG swept Barça aside at the Parc des Princes, winning 4-0, only for the Catalans to turn the tie around at Camp Nou with their historic 6-1 comeback. Al-Khelaifi was furious with his players, but also with referee Deniz Aytekin: “The result should have been different…”

That summer, Mundo Deportivo ran a front page headlined “Verratti’s time,” arranged with the Italian midfielder in Formentera, where Bartomeu was also vacationing. Al-Khelaifi was furious. He linked the front page to a move by Barça’s president and not only refused to let the player leave, but gave him a new contract and demanded that he fire his agent, Donato Di Campli, who had tried to force a transfer by declaring: “Verratti is a prisoner of the emir.”

Behind the scenes, PSG was preparing a devastating act of revenge. Soon afterward, following secret meetings in São Paulo and Mallorca with Neymar’s father, the French club paid the €222 million release clause in the Brazilian’s contract. At the time, Neymar was unquestionably one of the best players in the world and the clear heir to Messi at Barça. His departure left Barcelona devastated and foreshadowed the collapse of an empire in the years that followed.

The cold war continued for years, with smaller episodes such as Xavi Simons, one of La Masia’s brightest prospects, leaving for PSG in 2019. The conflict intensified again in 2021. During Barça’s presidential election campaign, when Laporta was still only a candidate, albeit the favorite, he began hearing that PSG was making moves to sign Messi. He used the situation to contrast the clubs’ models (“we are owned by our members and they are a state-owned club”) and boasted that Al-Khelaifi would not be able to sign the Argentine (“I don’t know whether they’ll be able to afford it because I’ve been told they are posting huge losses”). Al-Khelaifi, meanwhile, responded that Messi’s contract expired in June and that he was free to speak to whoever he wanted. Whatever the reasons, it all ended with Messi in Paris.

Before that, Laporta and Al-Khelaifi met in person at the Parc des Princes. It was Laporta’s first trip in his second spell as Barça president. The tension was palpable. Even Lamine Yamal eventually became a factor in the PSG-Barça battle. In 2024, the Parisians reportedly considered a €200 million offer. It was never clear whether an official bid ever reached Laporta’s desk, but the president himself acknowledged that he had been made aware of PSG’s interest. Naturally, it came through Lamine’s super-agent, Jorge Mendes.

Everything changed a little over a year ago. Joan Laporta gradually began distancing himself from the Super League project. Then, on October 8, 2025, he embraced Nasser Al-Khelaifi on the terrace of Rome’s Cavalieri hotel. The Barça president had attended the EFC gala dinner as a guest. And he stayed. That handshake marked the definitive turning point and, ever since, the two clubs have worked to cultivate a good relationship, even when players have been involved.

In January 2026, in one of the moves that has frustrated Hansi Flick most since taking charge of Barça, Dro Fernández, one of the coach’s favorites, reached an agreement to move to Paris. Rather than clash, Laporta and Al-Khelaifi agreed that PSG would pay a slightly higher transfer fee, €8 million instead of the €6 million release clause, to avoid the appearance of another dispute.

Something similar happened with Ferran Torres in the summer. Luis Enrique called the player to tell him of his interest, and PSG asked Barça for permission to open negotiations. A deal was eventually reached for close to €50 million.

On Tuesday, just as they did in Rome a year ago, Al-Khelaifi and Laporta will embrace again in the directors’ box at the Parc des Princes. PSG and Barça are now the best of friends.

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