The Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, sat down for an in-depth interview with TV3, discussing the team’s championship win, the appointment of coach Hansi Flick, and the future of several key players. Laporta beamed with pride, recalling the celebrations. “The players are thrilled, and the coach is happy. They all feel like champions.”
Laporta revealed that he had spoken to the mother of Marc Casadó and other young players like Alejandro Balde, Pau CubarsÃ, and Gerard Martin. “We’ve built a strong connection with the team. Flick’s grandson is a huge Barça fan, and our coach knows it.” Laporta also mentioned that he hadn’t seen all the congratulatory messages, including ones from Florentino Pérez and Javier Tebas.
Yamal’s Contract Renewal
Laporta discussed the ongoing negotiations with Lamine Yamal, who is set to turn 18 in July. “We’re working on a new contract, but it’s not done yet. Lamine is an exceptional player, very mature for his age. His salary should reflect his importance to the team.” Laporta compared Yamal to Lionel Messi, saying that the young player’s bonuses will be important, but what matters most is his comfort and happiness on the team.
Laporta praised Yamal’s unique talent and dedication to the team. “He’s a modern player who knows how to defend and anticipate the game. He’s our point of support, and I think he’s destined to be the best in the world.” The president also mentioned that Yamal’s jersey number will be discussed internally, but for now, he’s focused on being part of a strong team.
De Jong and Fati’s Futures
Laporta addressed the speculation surrounding Frenkie de Jong’s future, saying that the team wants him to stay. “He’s a fundamental player for our project. We believe in him, and we’re on the right path with him, Raphinha, and Iñigo MartÃnez.” Regarding Ansu Fati, Laporta said that the player needs to play more and that they will evaluate his situation in the next season. “Some players might leave, but we need to assess everything. The competition gets stronger every year, and we can’t rely on individual talent alone.”
Laporta emphasized that De Jong’s contract is a priority, and they don’t want both him and Fati to have only one year left on their deals. “Frenkie is as important as Pedri. We’re working on Raphinha’s contract renewal, and Deco is doing a great job. We’ll reach an agreement because we both want him to stay.” The president also mentioned that they’ve already renewed Ronald Araújo’s contract, which was a joint decision with coach Flick.
Szczesny’s Signing
Laporta explained that the team signed Wojciech Szczesny to bring in experienced talent. “Iñaki Peña was doing well, but Deco and the coach wanted someone with more experience. Szczesny has done a great job, and we hope he’ll continue to perform well.” The president said that the team intends to keep Szczesny, but the final decision is up to him.
Haaland and Nico Williams
Laporta downplayed the possibility of signing Erling Haaland, saying that it’s unlikely at the moment. He also mentioned that Nico Williams was a candidate for a transfer last summer, but they opted for Dani Olmo instead. “Vitor Roque is doing well now, but we need to consider the context. Not everything always works out as planned.”