MADRID, 19 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, assured after passing through the burning chapel at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in honor of the late Paco Gento that the latter, whom he met and with whom he shared several managerial meals, taught him how to handle the rivalry between two historic and rival clubs such as Barça and Real Madrid.
“I was lucky enough to meet him at those official meals that are held between both clubs. The truth is that I learned a lot from Gento about how to handle the rivalry between two great clubs like Barça and Madrid. He was a simple man, who had a point of sarcasm, and I learned a lot from him”, recognized Laporta in statements to Real Madrid TV.
In this sense, he recognized that people are above that rivalry. “Beyond the fact that we are two clubs that compete to win in the same competitions, beyond are the people and it was an experience to have known him”, the Blaugrana president was honest, who went to that burning chapel accompanied by his adviser Enric Masip and the director Xavier Puig.
“I am here on behalf of FC Barcelona and, obviously also my own, we want to convey our deepest condolences to the Madridista family for the death of Paco Gento. Apart from the world-renowned talent as a player, he was one of those players who praise football “, he stated.
About Gento and what he saw of him and what he remembers, he stressed that it was an “extreme classic”, the one that all clubs are now looking for. “Gento had the virtue that in addition to his footballing quality he was very fast. And he had strength. He was a reference for being a born winger, and playing with Puskás and Di Stéfano he was one of those forwards of world reference”, Laporta acknowledged.