Joan Laporta was elected the forty second president of Barcelona in 2021, with the 61-year-old returning for a second stint after presiding over a golden interval within the membership’s historical past beforehand.

Returning to take over Barcelona, his purpose has been to as soon as once more convey again the glory days and repair the membership’s frail monetary state. And regardless of the hurdles he has been encountering, issues seem like transferring in the suitable path beneath Laporta, no less than so far as issues on the pitch are involved.

The membership president spoke to CNN in a current interview throughout Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the USA, the place he went on to debate an array of issues.

Praise for Lionel Messi

Barcelona missed out on the signing of Lionel Messi this summer time, however the president made positive to specific whole respect as he harbored no resentment.

Waxing lyrical concerning the Barcelona legend, he mentioned: “Messi is the perfect participant on this planet, however a greater individual… He is the perfect participant in historical past. We love Messi.“

On the Argentine’s transfer to Inter Miami this summer time, Laporta added: “He took the choice to go to Inter Miami. Good for Miami, good for MLS.

“And of course, we want that this decision to be good for him as well because we respect, of course, his decision and we wish Messi and his family the best in Inter Miami.”

Barcelona’s id

Despite the membership going via a troublesome section financially, Barcelona proceed to draw high gamers throughout the globe, because of the membership’s legacy and id.

Last summer time, the Catalans signed the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Jules Kounde, amongst others, whereas Ilkay Gundogan has arrived this yr.

With Barcelona’s historical past and fame considered the membership’s greatest asset, Laporta took the chance to shine a lightweight on the membership’s illustrious id, saying:

“Fortunately, most of the players like Football Club Barcelona. They like our club for the way that we manage the club, for the kind of players that we had in the past and in the present.”

“Cruyff, Pep, Xavi. They belong to the same school and they share the same philosophy; the Cruyff philosophy.”

The current rise of Saudi Arabia

After defining Barcelona as one of many excellent locations on a sporting foundation, Laporta gave his two cents on the current rise of soccer in Saudi Arabia.

“When a player, and with all due respect, prefers to go to Saudi Arabia, basically there are no sporting reasons. You know, there are other reasons that are the priority. And the football must be the priority – the sporting reasons must be the priority,” he mentioned.

Top gamers like Riyad Mahrez, Borozovic, Ruben Neves, and Ngolo Kante, to call some, have taken their abilities to the Middle East, with the immense monetary package deal supplied to them a big motivator.

Barcelona have been in direct competitors with Al Nassr for the signing of Brozovic, but didn’t compete as a result of huge distinction in wages.

“I respect the decisions of the Saudi government that, you know, incorporate talented players,” he commented.

“Football is a team sport. Of course, the talented players help us to promote this sport and to make the fans happy because the talent is the talent, but … the team is the priority.”

While the Barcelona president subtly disregarded the sporting deserves of enjoying in Saudi Arabia, he implied assistance from European golf equipment like Barcelona proving to be a much more fruitful enterprise.

“There are big European clubs, Barcelona, that could help these teams in the Saudi Pro League in order to get some associations to transfer our know-how and to help them to improve their teams,” added Laporta.

Barcelona’s goals for the subsequent season

Laporta made his stance clear on the goals laid out for Barcelona, whereas additionally commenting on the achievement of the previous season.

“The priority of last season was La Liga and this new season, for us, La Liga is the priority as well,” he mentioned.

“We would like to compete better in the Champions League, and we would like to be among the candidates for winning this competition… But our priority still is La Liga.”