Barcelona Reportedly Reject Revolut Sponsorship Bid Because of Luis Figo
Barcelona are reportedly searching for a new financial partner, but one potential deal is said to have been ruled out for a rather unexpected reason.
According to Catalunya Radio, the Catalan club rejected a sponsorship proposal from British fintech company Revolut because of its association with former Barcelona star Luis Figo.
The decision was reportedly unrelated to the financial terms of the proposal.
Revolut’s Figo Campaign Raises Concerns
Barcelona have been looking for a new financial sponsor as negotiations with CaixaBank continue.
CaixaBank previously occupied the role for several years, but its agreement with the club expired more than a year ago. While discussions over a renewal remain ongoing, Barcelona had also explored other potential options.
Revolut was reportedly among the companies considered.
However, the fintech company's latest advertising campaign featuring Figo allegedly created a major obstacle.
The former Portugal international is prominently featured in Revolut's promotional material and reportedly references his infamous transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid in the advertisements.
Figo’s Barcelona Exit Remains Controversial
Figo’s 2000 move from Barcelona to Real Madrid remains one of the most controversial transfers in the history of Spanish football.
After five seasons at Camp Nou, the Portuguese winger crossed the Clasico divide and joined Real Madrid in a deal worth around €62 million, making him the world's most expensive player at the time.
His departure was especially painful for Barcelona supporters because of his importance to the team.
Figo made 249 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 45 goals and providing 91 assists. During his time at the club, he won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies and the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
He later won the Ballon d’Or in 2000.
Why Figo Still Matters to Barça Fans
Figo’s decision to leave Barcelona for their biggest rivals triggered an enormous backlash.
When he returned to Camp Nou wearing a Real Madrid shirt, the hostility from sections of the Barcelona support was intense, with the infamous incident involving a severed pig’s head becoming one of the most memorable moments in El Clasico history.
More than two decades later, Figo remains a highly divisive figure among sections of the Barcelona fanbase.
That history reportedly made his prominent role in Revolut’s advertising campaign particularly sensitive for the Catalan club.
Barcelona Still Searching for a Sponsor
According to the report, Barcelona therefore decided not to proceed with Revolut despite previously considering the company as a potential financial partner.
The club's search for a new financial sponsor continues, while negotiations with CaixaBank reportedly remain open.
For now, however, the reported Revolut proposal appears to have fallen victim to one of the most enduring rivalries in football—and one of Barcelona's most controversial former players.