Laporta singles out Yamal as world’s best in his role; Messi’s visit sparks debate and Barca’s future plans

Key insights

Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, stated that the young talent Lamine Yamal is the best in his position worldwide, underscoring that Barcelona is more than a profit-driven company and remains a social and cultural Catalan institution with a long history.

Laporta also touched on a wide range of topics, from a possible return to Camp Nou, to coach Hans Flick, to his relationship with Real Madrid and president Florentino Perez, up to the club’s upcoming elections.

In an interview with Ràdio Catalunya, Laporta said Yamal enjoys life at 18 but is very mature for his age. He stressed that his lifestyle is not a concern. We must all protect him and help him, whether we or his close circle. He has faced many experiences and handles them well. He is a professional in every sense and trains very hard. He is dealing with a groin injury and shows great courage to keep playing, which reflects his commitment and belonging to Barcelona. He is a genius, and we must develop him in a healthy way because he has not yet reached his peak. To me, he is the best player in his position in the world.

He addressed the latest Barca–Spain national team issue regarding Yamal, saying they informed the federation as soon as they learned of it. When the treating doctor advised ten days of rest, they relayed that to the national team. They respect all parties and do not want to enter conflicts. They aim to treat their players at a pace that suits Barcelona. The doctor overseeing Yamal is a world reference, and after examination on Monday, recommended appropriate treatment. Everything went well, and they want Yamal ready to serve the club. The rest period coincided with the national call-up, but it does not affect his progression; they are acting in Barca’s best interest.

Regarding a return to Camp Nou, Laporta said the situation is evolving, and they will play there again as soon as possible. He values setting deadlines as they add positive pressure, and this was included in the renewal contract, though unforeseen circumstances can arise. The stadium is ready to host matches, potentially with up to 27,000 spectators. When Hans Flick visited, he felt a shiver of excitement, and the players were impressed.

He praised the coach: Flick is calm, enthusiastic, and full of drive. We have a contract with him, and we will certainly reach an agreement on everything. Barcelona lives in every detail, and we are very happy with him—he has a strong yet sensitive personality. Despite the tensions that can accompany the work, he enjoys the journey with eyes full of passion.

On the relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Laporta said their meeting was cordial and respectful, but not a reconciliation, as they were not married to talk of a divorce. The relationship isn’t good because Real Madrid presented itself as a party in the Negreira case, and they continue to push irrelevant points that don’t lead to clear results. There may be an interest in keeping the case open, but Barca dislikes this. The rivalry remains eternal, and they treat it with respect. He didn't want to discuss the Miami match against Villarreal, given the initial opposition from players’ unions and other clubs. Hosting the game there, he believes, wouldn’t tarnish the competition.

About turning clubs into companies, Laporta argued that each club is free to decide what it sees fit, but as long as he remains president, Barca will stay owned by its members. Barca is more than a profits-driven business; they are Catalans open to the world, upholding sustainability, solidarity, and inclusion. They are committed to freedom, democracy, and Catalan culture for over 125 years. Reducing this to a corporate concept would be inappropriate. Economically, Goldman Sachs saw a major opportunity in Barca, and investment funds helped secure €1.470 billion to finance the stadium project. Barca is a national value.

Laporta reiterated Barca’s commitment to safeguarding Catalan identity, noting the complexity of achieving more autonomy. They currently influence the formation of the Spanish government, with Catalans having historically played a key role. He emphasized continuing efforts to promote Catalan language with Omnium Cultural to broaden its social use and sense of belonging, calling on everyone to work and speak Catalan consistently.

On upcoming club elections, Laporta said he isn’t focused on that yet; the season is just beginning and they are in the thick of competition. Elections must be held between March 15 and June 15, and they will set a date that serves Barca’s interests. He rejected opportunism and will decide based on how the team performs. He did not specify a date now, but suggested it could be before a potential Champions League semifinal if they reach that stage, hoping to compete to the very end in all competitions. He wants to live these moments with enthusiasm.

He spoke about his life, saying he leads a fast-paced existence, loves what he does, and tries to live every moment to the fullest despite the complexities of his role.

Regarding Lionel Messi’s surprise visit to Spotify Camp Nou without the club’s knowledge, Laporta said he knows how it happened and described the visit as spontaneous and born from a sense of belonging to Barcelona. He added that Messi can return to Camp Nou anytime—it’s his home. The visit, he said, felt like a kind, spontaneous act and proof of Messi’s love for Barca.

On the dynamic with Messi, Laporta stated the relationship is normal. He hasn’t sent Messi a message, but Barca loves him and this is his home. He noted that Messi deserves the most beautiful tribute in the world, something he believes would be wonderful.

He closed by confirming that the club is preparing the stadium to host matches and would welcome a tribute to the greatest player in history, a project Messi himself would likely support. He also warned that discussing Messi’s return as a player is not realistic at this moment. The overall takeaway is that Barca remains focused on competing across all fronts, with Messi’s legacy lingering as a guiding star.

Punchline time, because even legends deserve a wink: If Yamal keeps growing, Barca will need bigger boots every season—call it a growth tax. And if Messi’s love for Barca keeps resisting time, maybe the calendar should just extend the season to fit all the glory.