Laporta talks Messi, Xavi, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie, Lewandowski, Busquets, Dembele, Pique, Kessie

Barcelona president Joan Laporta sat down for a lengthy chat with the club’s official media channels today. During the candid interview, the 60-year-old discussed a wide variety of topics starting from Lionel Messi’s return to the economic levers to the club’s summer signings as well as plans for the future.

Kicking things off, the Barça supremo looked back on how the year 2022 had panned out for the club, saying: “It has been a tough year but the recovery process has begun and we are in the process of having a more competitive team.

“With this team and a few tweaks, if necessary, we can aspire to win titles. We have brought joy back to Barcelona fans but we want more, this will come when the titles arrive and that is what we are working on.”

When asked about one moment that stood out for him in 2022, Laporta insisted that he was filled with joy to see Camp Nou being fully packed by the fans again.

On the topic of Messi’s possible return to the club, the Barcelona president confirmed his desire to bring the club legend back, saying: “For us, he is the best player of all time, we have had him here and I am convinced that in his heart he is a Culé and will always be linked to Barça.

“Whether or not he comes back as a player, at the moment he is at PSG and we would very much like him to come back one day, but we’ll see.”

Financial situation and levers

Talking about the economic recovery that the Blaugrana made, he added: “The economic situation was very delicate and now there is cash stability, debt control, and positive equity. And we have repositioned the sporting wage bill. We are in the process but we are on the right track and this has been helped by the famous levers.”

Commenting on any possible new levers that Barcelona could turn to, Laporta insisted that the club were in a better position financially than they had expected, while also confirming that the Blaugrana are an attractive proposition for investors and sponsors.

“We have assets that are highly valued and coveted by investors and sponsors, by people with an interest in the world of sport, and we can always be susceptible to making a new operation for the benefit and in the interest of the club.

“Here the club has an extraordinary capacity to generate resources. This year we will break a record in this. We are at €212 million and we had budgeted €189 million. I am proud to say that the club is attractive to sponsors.”

Season so far…

Moving to talk about the situation of Barcelona’s first team, Laporta lamented the club’s exit from the Champions League, but insisted that they were in a good position in La Liga and intend to win all trophies possible.

“The elimination from the Champions League was a blow. It hit us. We had just recovered the joy we needed and we were confident that we were doing very well, but the Champions League was a hard blow but we held on well because the priority is La Liga. We are very focused and so is the dressing room. We want La Liga,” he said.

On having been the leaders of the Spanish top flight heading into the World Cup break, he added: “Very important, it’s an event but it still gives a lot of peace of mind.”

Outlining the objectives for the season, Laporta insisted that the team wanted to win all trophies, while saying that in Xavi they have the best coach possible for the job.

“We need to win titles. I am very lucky to have the best coach in the world. Despite his footballing knowledge, it is very interesting to listen to his reasoning about the club. He’s very committed and we share a lot of what is being done,” he said.

“I feel very accompanied and supported and we have a lot of confidence in him and his team.”

“It’s better to face it with titles, I’m mentally aware that we have to fight to win La Liga, for that we have made a lot of effort in all departments and especially Xavi and his staff. Even the players feel they have the ability to do it,” he added.

Summer arrivals’ impact

Laporta also spoke about the summer signings that the club made and was full of praise for Robert Lewandowski, hailing him as one of the architects of bringing joy back among the fans.

“Lewandoski is one of the architects of the return of joy to Barcelona. He brings you professionalism and a sense of responsibility, as well as being an experienced player, and he also has that charm and glamour that makes the fans very happy. He has a very good environment as well,” Laporta said.

“Koundé has reached the World Cup final, Christensen has had a very good World Cup, Kessié, we understand that in the second part of the season he will be more important, there is Raphinha,” he further added.

On the topic of Ousmane Dembele, Laporta said: “We renewed him and I am very satisfied with him. In the World Cup final, I was watching them because if France won I would be happy for them.”

The 60-year-old also backed Hector Bellerin to come good, while also hailing Marcos Alonso for the depth he adds to the roster, saying:

“Bellerín, who has recovered from injury, I hope he’s getting better and better. The right-back position is a bit of a challenge to consolidate. Luckily we have Sergi Roberto and Bellerín. We also have the addition of Marcos, who can play as a full-back and centre-back.”

At the same time, Laporta confirmed that he never had any intention to sell Frenkie de Jong in the summer, saying: “I never wanted to sell Frenkie de Jong because he is one of the mainstays we have, he is one of the great talents, young and destined to be one of the leaders of the team.”

January window

When asked about the possibility of winter signings, Laporta highlighted the various options that Barcelona have across the pitch, stating: “We did the work in the summer and at the moment there is no sign of having to make operations. We have a midfield with Busi as the master of ceremonies, Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie, Kessié…

“Up front we have men like Ansu Fati in whom we have a lot of hope. There’s Lewandowski, Ferran, Raphinha, Dembélé… In defence, we have Araujo at centre-back, with Eric who knows how to get the ball out very well like the great players

“In goal, in addition to Ter Stegen, we have Peña and Tenas. I’ve forgotten Balde (laughs). When you talk about a player you have to think about not leaving any out. Jordi Alba has also had a very good World Cup.”

On Xavi…

Laporta was full of praise for manager Xavi and said that the 42-year-old had exceeded expetations so far in his stint at Barcelona.

“He has exceeded our expectations. He had plenty of knowledge but we had to see how he would take on a bench like the one at Barça. As he has lived so much in the world of Barça he knows it perfectly. It’s good to talk to him because he relativises the problems,” he said.

“He always transmits optimism. For him, problems can always be solved. He doesn’t see anything as impossible. I like talking to him a lot because he has a very clear vision of the club, I’ve seen him very mature for how young he is and to take on a position as Barça coach.

“I’m delighted with Xavi and I’m very fond of him personally, I’m proud to have a coach like him.”

On club legends Pique, Busquets

Gerard Pique announced his retirement earlier this season after he had lost his importance in Xavi’s plans this season. His stepping away helped Barcelona free up space on the wage bill and Laporta was thankful to the club legend for everything he achieved.

“I have a very good personal relationship, I appreciate him a lot and I can proudly say that I have been president of Piqué. I am proud of him, he is an extraordinary person and he has behaved extraordinarily well with Barça and with us.”

“Barça can only be grateful to Gerard Piqué. He said he didn’t count and that the time had come. We came to an agreement. He is part of the Barça shield,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sergio Busquets’ future at the club has been a topic of discussion, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. Laporta said that Xavi counts on the veteran star and the club will stand by the midfielder in whatever he decides with regard to his future.

“I don’t know if he will leave this winter or if he will stay until the end of the season, we want him to stay because that’s what Xavi has asked us to do,” he said.

“I hope he continues until the end, but whatever he decides will be well decided. We all want him to continue. The way we see that he’s performing, we all want him to continue, if he’s watching the programme, let him know.”

On Gavi and Pedri

Talking highly of the young midfielders at the club in Gavi and Pedri, Laporta admitted that comparisons to Xavi and Andres Iniesta were always going to happen, but insisted the duo still had a long way to go to reach the level of the club legends.

“Xavi has always been like that, he has never liked to show off, that’s why he said that Pedri and Gavi are better than him and Iniesta. Obviously, the comparison is logical, they play in the same positions and are similar,” he said.

“But they are aware that to reach the level of Iniesta or Xavi they have to work hard and that’s where we are. Gavi is more crazy, Pedri is more focused. They both have a family environment that has helped them a lot. Their parents are extraordinary.”

Source: BarçaTV+