Laporta fires shots at Madrid: 'We'll win La Liga against all odds'
Barcelona's presidential candidate Joan Laporta comes out swinging with bold title predictions despite recent setbacks, taking aim at referees and rivals Madrid.
Defiant Joan Laporta has launched his Barcelona presidential campaign with a trademark display of confidence, insisting Barça will triumph in La Liga despite what he sees as a conspiracy of powerful forces working against the club.
Campaign kickoff
Laporta unveiled his candidacy Tuesday under the slogan “Defendemos al Barça” (We Defend Barça), replacing his previous “Estimem al Barça” motto from 2021. The Catalan lawyer wasted no time addressing Sunday’s disappointing defeat to Girona, but remained bullish about title prospects.
“I’m sure we will win La Liga,” Laporta declared to applause from his team, highlighting the psychological burden of playing twice weekly while suggesting other clubs don’t face the same scrutiny during difficult patches.
Referee controversy
The former president didn’t hold back regarding recent officiating decisions, particularly Jules Koundé’s incident:
- Questioned how technology hasn’t improved decisions for Barcelona
- Suggested “circles of power” are working against the club
- Claimed all contentious decisions go against Barça
Madrid in the crosshairs
With relations between Spain’s biggest clubs at a low ebb, Laporta couldn’t resist a dig at Real Madrid, boasting about recent Clásico victories while making a thinly-veiled reference to the capital club being “600 kilometers away” trying to control Barcelona.
He particularly savored mentioning the three recent final victories over their arch-rivals, noting it “gives great pleasure” to defeat Madrid on such occasions.
Economic progress
Laporta defended his five-year tenure by pointing to improvements in sporting performance, financial stability, and the ongoing Spotify Camp Nou construction. He painted an optimistic picture, suggesting “the most difficult part is behind us” and predicting “passionate years” ahead that could become “one of the most glorious periods in Barça’s history.”
Warning about rivals
The presidential hopeful also fired warning shots at competing candidates, questioning their experience and suggesting they might “destroy the Barça we’ve built” if given power. He specifically criticized those who would treat the club as “a company rather than an institution.”
Despite this combative stance, Laporta called for an exemplary electoral process with proper debate and discussion as the campaign unfolds.