Fútbol Club Barcelona is experiencing days of euphoria after winning the League title, the third at the national level this season, and president Joan Laporta has taken advantage of the moment to make two key announcements: his intention to run in the next club elections and the long-awaited return to Spotify Camp Nou in September.
Hours after a long night of celebrations, in which the players and the culé fans celebrated until the early hours —with Laporta among the last to leave, almost at seven in the morning—, the blaugrana president has intervened in the program El món a RAC1, where he has exclusively revealed his decision to run for re-election. “We are doing a very good job and we deserve to continue. We have saved the club,” he said forcefully.
However, Laporta ruled out bringing forward the elections, despite the good sporting moment the entity is going through. “It would not be fair to take advantage of recent successes. The right thing to do is to respect the deadlines,” he added, referring to his current mandate.
During the interview, he also referred to the team's attitude in the derby against Espanyol, in which Barça mathematically sealed the championship. Laporta valued very positively the previous statements of coach Hansi Flick, who had asked to avoid provocations and celebrate with respect. “They were very good. The best thing to do was what they did: hug each other and go towards the locker room tunnel,” commented the president, recalling the tense incidents that occurred two years ago, when Espanyol fans invaded the field to prevent the culé celebrations.
Already in the locker room, and later through the streets of the city, the title celebrations left memorable images. From Marc Casadó in Canaletes to Pedri, Dani Olmo, Eric García and Iñigo Martínez riding public bicycles (Bicing) through Barcelona. Laporta highlighted these scenes as an example of the team's spirit: “They are very representative of the personality of our players.”
Laporta sets a date for the return to the Camp Nou
But the most awaited news by the fans came towards the end of the conversation: the return to the Camp Nou. According to the president, the team could return to play in its stadium in September, as long as there are no unforeseen events.
Laporta: “The works are progressing at a very good pace and everything indicates that we will be able to premiere the new Camp Nou”
For Laporta, the return to the blaugrana coliseum will not only be a symbolic act, but also the reflection of the club's economic recovery. With the institutional future on the horizon, a squad in full maturity and the remodeling of the stadium in its final phase, Barça is experiencing a key moment. And Laporta, once again, wants to lead it from the box.