Laporta: “We don’t consider Messi’s return”

On his tour of interviews in recent days, Joan Laporta has passed through the microphones of RAC-1 on the program You will say. This is the highlight of his appearance.

The Women’s Soccer Classic: “We have called on the members to come because we want to have the world record. The expectation is great and we hope to be able to overcome it. We are proud of our players. They also play genuine football, that of Barça. same, but it is also very interesting. They play spectacular football, they are the best in the world and they will see the stadium full. I see them very excited. They deserve it. It is very satisfying to see the enthusiasm they have and, above all, what they They want to eliminate Madrid. Now I know them all”.

The figures of the contract with Spotify: “They asked us for a time of silence because they had a council ten days later, but the agreement was never in danger. Spotify, for a matter of confidentiality, wants to keep the reserve. As it is a good contract, they prefer to keep the reserve. It happens the same as with salaries. The contract is very good. The best contract in history; and it links us to a well-known company that almost everyone has on their mobile, which is European, listed on the stock market… They made it a condition without whom. It was not our intention to put it on, but we are waiting for them to come this week. I would like to explain the contract transparently and I will try until the end to make the figures known. I respect what the partner says. I will try to explain what I can without violating the confidentiality clause with Spotify. These figures, theoretically, should come out in the accounts of the next Assembly of delegates. We link the club to the world of music and technology. For the sleeve we have six offers.”

‘Title rights’: “I would have liked it more if it had been Camp Nou Spotify, but that’s how they wanted it and it was a good contract” .

Works at the stadium: “The calendar says that we start in September. We have arranged for the beginning of April with the town hall. We are going ahead to close the building license and the idea is to announce it. The contest is scheduled to be held in July and in September they should start. We are in a hurry because It has been delayed a lot during these years. But internally we are assessing the impact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could have. What we want is to go quickly, but, above all, a top stadium and few inconveniences to the partner. We plan that the stadium It will be finished in 2025. We cannot avoid the war, but I have to be optimistic and know that we will carry it through”.

Montjuïc in the 2023-24: “In principle, we see the good will of the City Council, both from the mayor and from the department of urban planning. This is a city project and they are also promoting it. There is plenty of time to prepare it, but it is true that Montjuïc has a calendar of concerts and You’ll have to adjust it.”

Would you like Messi to inaugurate the new Camp Nou?: “I would love to. He is one of the greats.”

her relationship with him: “The relationship is less fluid than before. There is no personal contact because it is in Paris. I remember it with affection. For me it was not an easy moment and I had liked that things were different, but sometimes the institution is ahead and I couldn’t put the institution at more risk. And we did what had to be done.”

Don’t you see Messi sad?: “I know what is being said. I hear comments from people close to him. Barcelona shoots a lot and he lived well here. And Barcelona shoots a lot. It felt almost worse to me because of the personal issue than the football one. And when he arrives at a club that it only prioritizes the arrival of stars, because sometimes it costs more”.

Is there any option for him to return to Barça?: “I have not received any message from Messi to return to Barça. Nor from his environment. And we are not considering it at this time. We are building a new team with experienced players. But Leo is Leo, he is the best player in the world recognized. I wouldn’t say it would be a step backwards. Leo is Leo and with the state of mind that came…, well, he’s a winner. Messi deserves respect as a player and as a person”.

Sign to win LaLiga and the Europa League?: I did not sign to be second in the League and win the Europa League. I say convinced. We have a team to win LaLiga. We got to the last stage of the competition in good shape, with a team that is doing well, with a coach who does a wonderful job and who wants to win LaLiga more than I do. Xavi has matured, he’s a father, that’s obligatory, and he’s an optimist.”

Xavi: “I spoke with him since the election campaign. Xavi will be here as long as he wants. Xavi is a culé and a culé always wants the best for Barça. I am convinced that he will be here for many years because he knows the club and loves it”.

The 0-4 or the 2-6?: “They are similar. I don’t know how many, but some more could have fallen. The context is different. With 2-6 we went there to win LaLiga. It is the result that we are on the right track. But there is still a long way to go. That has made us recover joy to Barcelona fans”.

Florentine: “The match that the meringues must have suffered was not pleasant. And the joke on the canvas…”.

Superliga: “Keep going. It is a project that is currently in court. It is a project that will be won. The Super League is open, not closed. They do not want to burden the state leagues. And the format of the competition will be the most attractive. And I think an improved Champions League can come out. I think we will end up in a dialogue with UEFA. What cannot happen is that with the permission of UEFA there are club-states and it is difficult for teams like Madrid, Juve or us to compete while qus there are others who play the masters. For the sustainability of football, we cannot allow it. There are clubs pending sentence and we have to continue advancing”.

Is Adama-Trincao a trade option?: “It could be a good market operation. He’s a different player. As a fan I say we’re happy with Adama…, we’ll see”.

Can Sergio Roberto renew?: “He had the opportunity to renew at the beginning of the season at the time we were restructuring contracts and I didn’t understand why he didn’t accept it. The moment was then. Now the contract ends and we are renewing the squad.”

Araújo and Gavi: “The renewals are working in the right direction and we’re doing well. They’re very important players, they want to continue at Barça and we’ll find a point of agreement. As long as it’s understood that there are salary limits”.

Would you renew Dembélé?: “I like Dembélé a lot. I think he’s a great player. What has also happened to him is, like Sergi Roberto, that we made him an offer and it expired on December 20… If an agreement is reached , it will be within the established limits. I will say with all due respect that the representative is a box of surprises and you never know what can happen.”

What would you prefer, Haaland or Mbappé?: “Well, the one who clearly stated that he wants to play for Barça. They would have to express the desire to come to Barça. If they don’t have it, then it will be difficult. Today, they have not conveyed that desire. So either they adapt to the conditions, or I see it very far away”.

Have you seen the Haalands in Marbella?: “No. I went to a Trobada de Penyes in Extremadura. Then I went to Antequera and I didn’t stay with Haaland or with anyone.”

Do you like Salah or Lewandowski?: “I won’t specify any names, but good players like to come to Barça”.

joao felix: “I like Joao Felix a lot and his representative knows it. And I hope the fans don’t get angry. And yes, we tried it in the summer” .

Do you have two players signed?: “Yes”.

Are you worried about the issue of financial fair play?: “We are awaiting the criteria that LaLiga will have with fairplay. We must not have losses. And if we reduce negative net worth, we should have fairplay. But it is true that, according to interpretations, we could not even have fair play. Regarding CVC, its initial proposal is being modified so that it contributes more to us. But it is talking with other funds. Before June 30 it must be done. That is our priority these days. We are working, yes”.