Latest news with #FridolinaRolfo
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
What's happening at Barcelona?: Only 18 active player contracts and more departures expected
Barcelona Femeni are one of Europe's elite teams in women's football. In the last decade, they've reached the UEFA Women's Champions League final six times, winning three trophies. The Spanish champions have also won Liga F six consecutive times and collected Copa de la Reina and Supercopa de España trophies along the way. Advertisement With their impressive list of accolades, Barcelona attract some of the best players in the world to supplement their unmatched long-term player development program. However, this summer, they have said goodbye to five key players, with more expected to leave. The moves have brought alarm bells, particularly after the departures of Swedish winger Fridolina Rolfo, who was a starter in the last Champions League final and has now joined Manchester United on a free transfer, and 23-year-old Spanish defender Jana Fernandez, who is set to leave the club for London City Lionesses. The club (including all sporting entities on the women's and men's sides) operates in the transfer window with a €1billion (£863m; $1.2bn) debt and has consistently spent more than they are allowed to on wages, breaking La Liga's salary limit calculated for each club according to their income. Rolfo, whose contract was set to expire next year, left early amid the team's ongoing financial struggles. According to Barcelona sources — who, like all those cited in this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships — told The Athletic at the time of Rolfo's departure that her contract termination was out of financial necessity regarding her salary rather than a sporting decision. For 2024-25, Barcelona budgeted €319m ($373m; £275m) on salaries for the men's team, compared with €11m on the women's side. The grassroots football department was allocated €17m. As Barcelona's financial situation continues to intertwine into a complicated web off the field, the team continues to excel on it. However, the women's team only has 18 active player contracts with less than three weeks to the first Liga F match of the year. The Athletic explains what's happening with the team, why players are leaving and if the financial issues are to be blamed on the men's team. The first confirmed departure from the team was Ingrid Engen, who left for OL Lyonnes. She was followed by two departure announcements on the same day, with Rolfo and England international Ellie Roebuck, who joined Aston Villa, leaving. Then came Bruna Vilamala, who joined Club America, and Martina Fernandez, who moved to Everton. Defender Jana Fernandez could be the next to leave the team, according to El Periodico. That would make six departures to only one arrival, with the addition of defender Laia Aleixandri from Manchester City. Advertisement Each case is unique. Some players have seen other projects that interest them, added to the fact that they had lost prominence in the club, as was the case for Engen. However, the one common denominator is FC Barcelona's need to save money. La Liga's financial fair play rules count the women's team — and all other sections of the club — alongside the men's team. The men's team is having a similar issue as it continues to work to sign Marcus Rashford. Because they are spending more on wages than La Liga has allowed them (each club's salary limit is calculated by La Liga according to their revenue), they have not been able to register new signings. To bring themselves in line with the rules, they need to raise more revenue and/or cut their wage bill. Barca sources have been saying all summer that the club remains confident their new signings for the men's team, including Rashford, will be registered before the end of the transfer window. They have always stressed that the key to bringing themselves in line with La Liga's salary limit lies with their sale of future proceeds from VIP seats at the Camp Nou for €100m (£86.9m; $115.5m) in December 2024. This money has so far not had the approval from auditors that La Liga says it must receive before it can be applied towards its calculation of Barca's salary limit. A Barca source told The Athletic on Tuesday that they expected that to be approved 'either this week or next'. The source also said that the approval is not dependent on the VIP seats actually being in use at the Camp Nou. The stadium refurbishments are still ongoing. The club's initial plan was to return in November 2024 at a reduced capacity, but this has been pushed back several times. They are hoping to be back for their first home game of the new La Liga season, currently set for September 14. Advertisement Beyond the men's team, cuts are being made, and the latest to be affected is the women's team. The women's team brings in revenue for the club, and the only reason they would want to sell so many players in the same summer would be if the project was no longer working on a sporting level or if it wasn't making money. The first is not the case: they won the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup, the Liga F and reached the Champions League final, where they lost to Arsenal FC. And the second is not the case either. Although it should also be taken into account that they need money to pay for the renewal of the women's players' contracts for next season. It will depend on the needs of the men's team and the club's season. Liga F is progressing at a very slow pace, and many players are opting for more demanding leagues. Barcelona has invested heavily in its women's team and competes at a top level every year, but the strongest competition comes from the Champions League. The club has brought in money from the sales of Vilamala and Fernandez and has freed up salary space with the agreed contract terminations of Roebuck and Rolfo. Even so, it is not enough to make up for the deficit the club is carrying in order to comply with the financial fair play requirements, and Barcelona remains open to offers for other women's players. Alexia Putellas, Claudia Pina, Cata Coll, Ona Batlle, Mapi Leon, Salma Paralluelo, Caroline Graham Hansen and the recently renewed Marta Torrejon's contracts expire next year. The club made a big commitment in 2015 when it professionalised the women's team and another one in 2019 when it set out to make Barcelona the best team in Europe – something it achieved in two years. Advertisement However, selling so many players to register men's players suggests that the main priority — which it has always been, but now even more so — is the men's first team. The Barcelona women's team has long been the only team that generated income for the club, but now that it seems they have won everything, the club wants to focus its efforts on the men's team. The worst-case scenario – which does not necessarily have to happen – would be that Barcelona's women's team is affected in sporting terms and becomes less competitive this season as a result. No key players have been sold, but they cannot go through the whole season with just a core group of players. The backups are also important during the season to cope with workloads, injuries or other variables. A decline in resources and performance could lead to a talent drain away from the club. Many players stayed at Barcelona because of the club's project rather than the league in which it plays. The next players to renew their contracts are key players for this team. If this affects the departure of any of the eight who are due to renew, that is when the future would really start to look bleak for the team. Liga F is growing at a very slow pace compared to other leagues, such as the Women's Super League in England. The coexistence between a European giant and a league that is struggling to become professional is becoming more evident with each passing year, and the lack of competition is the nearest existential threat to the team. Real Madrid, which invests timidly, is Barcelona's closest competitor domestically, although it is still far from Barcelona's project. It's hard to say how much Barcelona would have to stumble for Real Madrid to catch up. Advertisement The situation in Liga F was already affecting Barcelona. Sources within the board told The Athletic that they were concerned that the low standard of the league could cause them to lose some players. Sources in the dressing room have expressed their concerns as well. They feel that they are being stripped of their resources and of players whom the technical staff were counting on for next season. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Man Utd sign Rolfo on two-year deal
Manchester United have signed Sweden international Fridolina Rolfo on a two-year contract. Rolfo, who usually plays as a left-sided forward, was a free agent after reaching a mutual decision to terminate her Barcelona contract one year early. The 31-year-old joined Barca from German side Wolfsburg in 2021 and won four Liga F titles and two Champions League trophies, scoring 40 goals in 131 said the appeal of joining United was the Women's Super League, which she described as "probably the strongest league in the world right now". United finished third in the WSL last season, which qualified them for the second round of the Champions League. "I have been fortunate to enjoy lots of success at Barcelona and other clubs I have played for, and now I want the same at Manchester United," she added. Rolfo, who has also played for Bayern Munich, has 313 senior club appearances and 113 goals during her career. She earned her 100th cap for Sweden during Euro 2025 last month and has scored 33 goals for her country. Head here to get involved
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man United signs Rolfo after her 4-year stint at Barcelona
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfö joined Manchester United on Friday to end her four-year stint at Barcelona. The 31-year-old Rolfö signed a contract until June 2027. Rolfö, mostly used as a left-winger, made her 100th appearance for Sweden at the European Championship last month. She has 33 international goals. She previously played her club soccer for Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich and won two Champions League titles with Barcelona, scoring the clinching goal in one of the finals. United finished third in the Women's Super League last season and will play in the Champions League. 'The WSL is probably the strongest league in the world right now,' Rolfö said, 'so that was a big part of the appeal of coming here, as well as the chance to help the team establish itself in the Champions League.' ___ AP soccer:
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Man United signs Rolfo after her 4-year stint at Barcelona
MANCHESTER, England — Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfö joined Manchester United on Friday to end her four-year stint at Barcelona. The 31-year-old Rolfö signed a contract until June 2027.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Man United signs Rolfo after her 4-year stint at Barcelona
MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Sweden forward Fridolina Rolfö joined Manchester United on Friday to end her four-year stint at Barcelona. The 31-year-old Rolfö signed a contract until June 2027. Rolfö, mostly used as a left-winger, made her 100th appearance for Sweden at the European Championship last month. She has 33 international goals. She previously played her club soccer for Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich and won two Champions League titles with Barcelona, scoring the clinching goal in one of the finals. United finished third in the Women's Super League last season and will play in the Champions League. 'The WSL is probably the strongest league in the world right now,' Rolfö said, 'so that was a big part of the appeal of coming here, as well as the chance to help the team establish itself in the Champions League.' ___ AP soccer:
