The candidate for the presidency of FC Barcelona Joan Laporta has assured that it continues being the same as during his tenure between 2003 and 2010 he led Barça to the “front line” and believes that, at 58 years old and despite the electoral defeat in 2015, is ready to return with “more experience” and it is still time to recover the legacy that Rosell and Bartomeu believe they left to lose.
“We all have our time and I think it's still my moment and, if not, I would not have introduced myself. I am 58 years old, I can dedicate a few years to the club, which will be the best years of my consolidated maturity. I feel good, strong, wanting to serve the club and to restore happiness to Barcelona fans “, he assured in an interview with Europa Press.
Laporta is sure that his return to the club would be well regarded in the sports spheres due to the “success” he already had in his tenure. “My presence at the club can have a very good impact, in sports establishments, for having already been successful. I want to see everyone again, “he referred to the advertising canvas that he placed next to the Santiago Bernabéu.
And, believing that it is still their time, wants to recover the legacy and “redo it all”, something that he tried unsuccessfully in the elections he lost in 2015 to Josep Maria Bartomeu and his 'triple and trident'. “I wanted my legacy to continue and with more success, it did not enter my head that we would not win more 'Champions' having Messi. We were missing opportunities to continue making history. In 2015, against the treble, I didn't see any chance of winning but friends pressured me to contrast models and the result was very good in the worst possible scenario, “he added.
“When I speak now of motivating players to win again and win well, it is so that the success story of Barça with the 'Champions' returns that began with my mandate and that we have to recover. You have to make decisions to win again 'Champions' and titles and have nights in Rome or Wembley, “he appealed in this regard.
The former president believes that what he denounced in that 2015 campaign “has become apparent”, and therefore insists on retaking the reins of the club. “I do not contemplate any other scenario that is not winning. What I announced in 2015 has become clear and our project is the right one to reverse the situation. I see myself with the necessary strength and courage, and experience, to reverse it, “he said.
“We have to redo everything. If I am lucky enough to rule again, I will see what can be used and remake Barça. I am with winning morale, I don't want to put myself on a losing stage. If it happens I will accept it, but I will continue to be Barça and suffering and enjoying with Barça “, he commented on that hypothetical case that he does not contemplate of losing a few elections again.
On the other hand, he assures that he is still the same Laporta who was on the cover with remembered statements such as that of “To the loro! We are not so bad”, although in this pre-campaign he is more restrained. “Man, the banner we hung the other day, is very Laporta in this sense”, he said with laughter in reference to the 1,000 square meter canvas located next to the Santiago Bernabéu with the slogan 'You want to see you again' “.
“I'm still the same Laporta but with more experience and I'm more prepared. I will always act with respect, even if it is more vehement or more or less forceful. If the 'seny' is not accompanied by a fighting spirit, of a certain forcefulness, it can be cowardice. I prefer to combine the two things, I already have the 'seny' and I hope I never lose the 'rauxa' “, he expressed in reference to that 'seny i rauxa' so Catalan.
On the other hand, Laporta is clear that Leo Messi will wait until after the elections to make the decision to leave the club or to renew. But, asked why it would happen if the Argentine decided to leave, as he already tried last summer, Laporta is clear that he would fit in with sportsmanship and that the change in the team would begin.
“If Messi says 'no', we will take it with sportsmanship and we will have to go on and on. It will not be an impediment for us to also make a very competitive club and start a new stage that will take us to the first line of world sports, “he said.
Of course, that change would not have to go exclusively from the hand of a Ansu Fati who predicts a great future for his “natural talent” but who does not want to compare with Messi. “We would be wrong if we qualified Ansu Fati as 'new Messi'. Sometimes, if you skip steps, you do not make a good contribution to the career of a footballer. Ansu Fati has great natural talent, he has to be accompanied and helped, as we did with Leo, 'Busi', Pedro or Sergi Roberto. But it is not good the excessive praise “, notice.
He is also clear that, in his project, there will be no room for “doubling or tripling positions”, as can happen now with Messi, Griezmann or Coutinho. “Our model is based above all in homemade players and then world reference players that they join the team in a logical way and without duplicating or tripling situations, which is a bad decision and has happened and has led us to an undesirable situation, “he said.
Joan Laporta is clear that Norman Foster's total renovation project for Camp Nou that he presented in 2007, inspired by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is better than the 'Espai Barça' that he will currently find himself if he wins the presidential elections, so he does not doubt that the current project will be able to be “tweaked”.
“I do have Norman Foster's phone number, it's on my list, but we haven't spoken recently. Foster's project was for me an extraordinary stadium, the best. He was chosen out of many, but it couldn't be done because the incoming board didn't want to. A decision that was a mistake, “he acknowledged in an interview with Europa Press.
Laporta believes that the 'Espai Barça' “is what it is”, a “limited” scenario and worse than the one he proposed with Foster. “I really liked Norman Foster's stadium, now the stadium will have to be reformed within the framework of 'Espai Barça' but we can also make our adjustments, and maybe a better design and a better solution to the current one”, he augured.
“The 'Espai Barça' we know in depth, the urban aspects of the project are defined, it has been reduced a lot compared to what was planned during my tenure. As I left it, they did not want to take advantage of it and now we have what we have and we will have to do what best possible, but limited, “he reiterated in this regard.
In addition, he is afraid of finding that that 'Espai Barça' and the financing agreement with the investment group Goldman Sachs will tie him hand and foot. “I hope that for the reform of the Camp Nou, the 'naming rights' have not been conditioned in the Goldman Sachs contract, which seems to be what will finance this project. But I think that contract is pending to be ratified by the Assembly, “he said.
“If Goldman Sachs has advanced a significant amount of money to Barça and I think I think that, if we do not ratify, they would ask us for a refund of that money paid in advance. There is so much to study that I do not want to pronounce myself, I can find a contract that conditions my response, and that contract I have not seen, “he said cautiously.
It is clear that he will want a Camp Nou and an avant-garde Palau Blaugrana that are in force for years, no longer limited as soon as they are released. “We have been informed that as the new Palau has been designed, it would have certain shortcomings. Maybe we will have to reverse this situation. Just as what has been signed has not been done according to the demands of the club, and these works should serve for many years, “he lamented.
A new Palau Blaugrana where a man of confidence like Enric Masip, leader of the handball 'Dream Team', could have weight. “Enric is in the project, to the extent of his availability I can count on him. We are united by a great friendship, he has Barça in his head and has been a reference in handball, with professional activity at the club and I feel very comfortable with him . Enric can contribute a lot in many areas “, assured Laporta.
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