“A dream come true” – Joan Laporta hails Spotify Camp Nou’s rebirth after 900 days away | OneFootball

It was a truly emotional day for FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who could not hide his joy as he stood at the Spotify Camp Nou during its grand reopening for a historic open training session. 

Nearly 900 days had passed since the iconic stadium last welcomed fans, and the moment symbolised both nostalgia and renewal for the Blaugrana faithful.

Speaking to the club’s official media, Laporta shared his emotions with a sense of pride and relief. 

“I am very happy because the process has taken almost 15 years, since 2010 when I finished my first presidential term. 

“We needed to get the plans off the drawing board and into reality to make this dream come true,” he said, reflecting on the long journey that led to this milestone.

Laporta explained that the renovation of Camp Nou had been essential not only as a structural transformation but as a necessary step for Barcelona’s future. 

“For years, nothing happened in terms of physical construction, which is why we believed it was essential for Barça’s economic, financial, and sporting viability to have the new Spotify Camp Nou,” he stated.

Opening up about the difficulties

The Barça president also credited the club’s financial partnerships for making this enormous project possible. 

Barcelona trained at the Spotify Camp Nou. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“We faced it at a difficult time, but the FC Barcelona crest opens many doors, and that is why we attracted the financial world, Goldman Sachs, who believed in this project and financed it. 

“We have resized everything in two and a half years. From a creative perspective, I am very happy with what we have achieved, very proud, and very grateful to all the people who are making this a reality,” he emphasised.

Laporta expressed a special sense of gratitude towards both the younger and older generations of supporters. 

“They ask me at every badge ceremony, ‘finish the stadium’… and I want to see it for these culés. 

“If Barça has forged itself as the best club in the world, it is thanks to them,” he said with clear emotion.

Details about the permissions

He then went on to praise the club’s internal efforts: “All of the club’s departments have worked very hard to make this happen.” 

On the technical side, he revealed that Barcelona already has permission to host 27,000 spectators, but they are now waiting for the second occupancy licence to expand capacity to 45,000. 

“Once we have it, we will play the first official match. If we get it before the international break next week, we will be able to play a match,” Laporta noted, hinting that the Barça-Athletic Club game on 22 November could be the long-awaited return.

The president was also clear about the bigger picture behind the redevelopment. 

“It is already a cause for joy to return to Camp Nou, but seeing that it is a new stadium, we think that this is the legacy we will leave to future generations of Barcelona fans, the best stadium in the world,” Laporta affirmed.

Economic benefits of the return

Joan Laporta was excited to be at Spotify Camp Nou. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He further underlined the economic benefits of the project, claiming that the new Camp Nou will triple the club’s revenue. 

“Montjuïc turned out much better than we thought, but we believe it will help us meet the budget. 

“With 62,000 spectators, it will help us meet and even exceed it. The stadium without a roof must be completed by the end of 2026,” he explained.

Finally, the Barça president shared his excitement about how the new Spotify Camp Nou will enhance the sporting side of things. 

“Camp Nou is a football field, and although Montjuic has given better results than we expected, this is the real field. 

“I’ll take away the fact that the players have come out onto the field impressed. It’s a return to the future,” Laporta reflected. 

“Some players had never even set foot in Camp Nou, and others have returned home, which is a very nice feeling. 

“They want to come back here because it will help them a lot in achieving their goals,” he predicted.

As he wrapped up, Laporta reaffirmed his vision for Barcelona’s new era: 

“It will be the best stadium in Europe, very plastic, and I imagine the feeling that we are already at home, which is the feeling I want to have as soon as possible,” he concluded with a smile.