FC Barcelona are enjoying a moment of optimism — the return to the Spotify Camp Nou, improvements on the pitch, and a steady stream of positive economic messages from Joan Laporta.
But from Germany comes a bucket of cold water that sharply questions Barça’s management and their fragile financial reality.

The man lighting the fuse is none other than Uli Hoeness, honorary president of Bayern Munich and one of the most influential voices in European football. His assessment? Direct, harsh, and uncompromising.

“It’s Absurd and Intolerable”

Speaking on the OMR podcast, Hoeness didn’t hold back:

“It’s absurd that they have more than 1.3 billion euros in debt. It’s absurd and intolerable. In any country, with that debt, they wouldn’t be allowed to play in the First Division. And here, nothing happens.”

For him, allowing a club to compete at the top with such a massive financial hole is a threat to the stability of the entire system.
Hoeness believes Barça are surviving on a model he considers completely unsustainable.

A Model That Contrasts With Bayern’s Philosophy

Hoeness directly compared Barcelona’s situation to the German model — particularly Bayern’s, a club known for financial discipline and long-term stability.

“Barça is not the kind of management model I envision for a team,” he said.

He added that in Munich, an economic structure based on risky accounting maneuvers would be immediately rejected:

“It absolutely contrasts with the control we have at Bayern and our healthy economy, which should be an example for European clubs.”

For him, Bayern’s philosophy is simple: clean accounts, responsible spending, and sporting success without compromising the club’s future.

The ‘Levers’ at the Center of the Criticism

One of Hoeness’ main targets was Barça’s economic levers — the mechanisms used to sell assets and future income in order to register players in LaLiga and reinforce the squad.

In his view, such operations would be impossible in Germany, where financial oversight is much stricter:

“License regulations and audit pressure would immediately shut down a club with 1.3 billion euros in debt.”

In other words: under German rules, Barcelona would have been stopped in their tracks.

A Blow That Reopens the Debate

Hoeness’ criticism arrives at a time when Barcelona are trying to project a new, more stable identity after years of chaos. But his words reignite the debate about the club’s true financial state — and whether the recovery is as solid as the board claims.

While Laporta talks about rebuilding and looking forward, voices from Germany remind everyone that the economic wound is far from healed.