FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta attacked Real Madrid’s institutional standing on Saturday, asserting during a public tribute in Sitges that the capital club is actively losing prestige, recognition, and credibility on domestic and international stages. Speaking to reporters following a ceremony where local veterans unveiled a tile bearing his name at number 14 on Passatge Johan Cruyff, Laporta claimed that figures in Madrid rely on controversy to distract from Barcelona’s current sporting success, Mundo Deportivo reported.
Sitges Tribute and the Institutional Clash
Laporta spent Saturday morning in Sitges alongside club executives, including vice presidents Joan Soler and Elena Fort, alongside former players like Juan Manuel Asensi, Rafael Zuviría, and José Mari Bakero. Following the ceremony organized by the veterans association, the Barcelona president addressed the media regarding the ongoing institutional friction between Spain’s two powerhouse clubs. He accused Real Madrid of steering public discourse toward extraneous subjects to mask their own recent institutional missteps, pointing to the club’s absence from key international governing bodies.
The Barcelona chief highlighted Real Madrid’s lack of representation at recent meetings held by the European Football Clubs (EFC) and the EuroLeague. According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta characterized the posture of the club as excessively arrogant and haughty, suggesting that club leadership needs to engage in serious self-reflection.
Dispute Over the Negreira Case and Public Image
A central focus of Laporta’s remarks addressed the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the Negreira case. The Barcelona president maintained that his club has been subjected to a coordinated campaign designed to damage its reputation before any formal verdict is reached. Mundo Deportivo reported that Laporta expressed absolute confidence in the eventual exoneration of the club, stating that critics who have tried to smear the institution will be forced to retract their statements once the judicial process concludes.
According to Marca’s coverage of the same statements, Laporta argued that investigators and hostile voices in the capital have unnecessarily prolonged the dossier’s summary phase simply to keep public scrutiny alive, an action he described as lacking innocence.
Contrasting Fortunes on the Pitch and the Balón de Oro
While addressing the institutional friction, Laporta turned his attention to the athletic landscape, contrasting Barcelona’s current form with that of their rivals. Mundo Deportivo noted that the Barcelona president celebrated a sweet moment for the club, highlighting a squad featuring nine reigning world champions and widespread international acclaim. Sport noted that Hansi Flick’s side currently sits atop the La Liga table with seven wins from seven matches, holding a six-point advantage over Real Madrid ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.
On the individual awards front, Laporta offered public backing for young forward Lamine Yamal in the voting for the Ballon d’Or. Mundo Deportivo reported the president’s view that the recognition is entirely merited given the player’s performances and major titles secured over the past season. Addressing Yamal’s open vocalization of his ambitions, Laporta urged observers not to overreact, calling it a natural, sincere reaction from a 19-year-old athlete.
Raphinha’s Injury Recovery and Return Timeline
Laporta also provided an update on the fitness of Brazilian winger Raphinha, who sustained an injury while on international duty. Mundo Deportivo reported that the player returned to Catalonia for treatment and is currently completing his rehabilitation under the supervision of club medical staff. Laporta confirmed that club doctors anticipate the forward will be available for selection ahead of the upcoming fixture in Paris.
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