Xavi Pascual to Leave Barcelona for Dubai EuroLeague Franchise

Xavi Pascual will leave FC Barcelona next season and join a Dubai‑based franchise that competes in the EuroLeague. The move has become public despite a recent statement from Barcelona denying the report. The announcement comes three days after the story broke. The original report was published by MD, which accelerated the situation. Within three days, the denial from Barcelona was outweighed by the spread of the information. The club’s communiqué had claimed the report was false. The Dubai franchise is described as a club whose geographic criteria for EuroLeague participation are unclear. It has announced a budget aimed at competing for the competition title. The team’s financial backing is expected to be significant. In the United Arab Emirates, salaries can be substantially higher, and the franchise reportedly can triple Pascual’s wage. Pascual is said to have no difficulty covering the €300,000 termination clause in his Barcelona contract. This financial incentive is a key factor in the move. The departure is presented as a voluntary exit rather than a dismissal. Pascual is leaving the club he has spent his career with. The decision reflects his own choice. Pascual’s frustration stems from unfulfilled promises made when he was hired in November. He was recruited to remedy the problems attributed to previous coaches Cubells and Navarro. The perceived lack of progress contributed to his decision to depart. Barcelona will need to find a replacement for the upcoming season, while the Dubai franchise gains a coach with EuroLeague experience. The transfer highlights the growing financial pull of clubs outside traditional European markets. Both clubs face new challenges ahead.