FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta is scheduled to travel to New York City next week to attend the third annual Johan Cruyff Memorial, an event honoring the legacy of the club’s legendary former player and coach. The ceremony, which takes place on November 14, represents the first time the memorial has been hosted outside of Spain, according to reports from SPORT.
Laporta will be accompanied by several club representatives, including Xavi Puig, during his visit to the United States. His travel itinerary is set for November 13 through November 15, as confirmed by SPORT. The president has long maintained a close relationship with the Cruyff family, particularly with Johan’s widow, Danny Coster, and frequently cites the Dutchman’s philosophy as a foundational element of his own vision for the club.
Former Barcelona Players Play in Central Park Match
The 2026 edition of the memorial features two primary events in New York, according to details provided by Noticias Latinas. The day begins with an exhibition match at the Great Lawn in Central Park, scheduled from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. local time. The match will feature former FC Barcelona players, including Guillermo Amor, Eusebio Sacristán, Julio Salinas, Jon Andoni Goikoetxea, Jofre Mateu, and Santi Ezquerro.
Following the match, the event transitions to an evening reception and cocktail hour at The Knickerbocker Hotel near Times Square. This portion of the program is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. local time and is intended to serve as a social and institutional gathering for sports figures and guests associated with the Cruyff legacy.
Expansion of the Memorial from Sitges to New York
The Johan Cruyff Memorial was established in November 2024 by the Fundació Veterans de Sitges. The first two editions were held at the Municipal de Aiguadolç stadium in Sitges, a coastal town with deep personal ties to the late icon. During the inaugural 2024 event, Jordi Cruyff participated in a ceremony to unveil a plaque bearing his name at the town’s Avinguda de les Estrelles. The second edition in 2025 continued this tradition, featuring a commemorative tribute to Jon Andoni Goikoetxea.
The move to New York marks a significant international expansion for the initiative. The event is organized through a collaboration between the Fundació Veterans de Sitges, the Cruyff Foundation, and the Catalan Institute of America. Support for the memorial has been provided by several partners, including the Generalitat de Catalunya and The Knickerbocker Hotel.
Laporta’s Commitment to the Cruyff Legacy
The recent trip followed a recent tribute in Sitges on October 10, where Laporta himself was honored with a plaque at the Avinguda de les Estrelles, located near the Passatge Johan Cruyff. At that event, Laporta spoke about the enduring impact of the Dutchman’s influence on the club’s identity, stating, “Life is wonderful if you look at it through the eyes of Johan.”
For Laporta, the connection to Cruyff remains a central pillar of his presidency. He has consistently advocated for maintaining the offensive tactical identity and the sporting model that Cruyff implemented during his time at the club, a structure that later provided the framework for the successes achieved under Pep Guardiola. The presence of the club’s leadership in New York is intended to reinforce these institutional values as the memorial moves into its third year.
Worth a look
