Joan Laporta showed optimism in his speech as he took over as the new president of FC Barcelona. At a reiteration of Camp Nou with figures from both the political and cultural spheres of the Club and Catalan, Laporta commented on the direction to be taken by the new board: get the Club back on track -funding after the Chovid strike- 19 pandemic; making the team more competitive; retaining La Masia as the Club’s identity in terms of its style of play and philosophy.
The financial situation
“It’s a priority for us. We want Barça to be sustainable and we have an action plan that we can put in place. Hard work is guaranteed.”
“We will try to create new sources of revenue and make the right decisions.”
“We have a professional team that is ready to turn this situation around.”
“At this time of great trouble, I want to send a message of encouragement. When the fans can return to Camp Nou, the pre-Covid revenue will return.”
The future of the park
“As for the men’s first team, this season we’re going for the Copa del Rey and the league.”
“I will try to get Leo Messi to stay. He is the best player in football history.”
“The team is getting better and we hope it can keep that way. Ronald, we trust you.”
“We want to win things again and do it in style, to continue our history of success in the Champions League.”
The importance of La Masia
“We want to train the boys and girls who come to us at a young age.”
“The other day I saw a film of Ilaix Moriba becoming emotional remembering his way through the youth teams. It is important that we first give people the opportunity to give themselves the best of themselves at the Club.”
Catalan open to the world
“Barça is bigger than the Club. We have a symbolic and representative weight on behalf of Catalonia. When we go all over the world people see us as a Catalan club.”
“We live our values with pride. We have always been connected to the country; we are global and everyone knows us. We are positioned as heroes of rights and freedom.”
“We are a Catalan club, open to the world, where all kinds of thinking is welcome in an environment of democracy. At Barça there is a place for everyone and we want to welcome on people. ”
Socially active Barça through the Foundation
“With the Foundation we did something special. We were pioneers among football clubs and we put UNICEF on the shirt. I think the players were proud to wear it.”
“We have been able to help many people and we want to support the Foundation. ”
The key to success in the first term
“We’ve often asked ourselves: How did things turn out so well in the first term? First, we’ve had some amazing players and also the persistence we had.”
“I call on Barça fans who think they can do something for Barça. We can’t do it. As the hymn says, all together we are stronger.”
“There will be strong leadership and decisions will be made. I feel like I won’t be alone.”
“We will defend the Club where that is necessary before whoever it is, that is my commitment.”