Barcelona president Laporta aims to “win everything”, takes a swipe at Real Madrid | OneFootball

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta opened the club’s General Assembly earlier today with a measured but ambitious speech, expressing his optimism about the club’s sporting situation and outlining his belief that the team can compete for every major trophy.

During the his opening address, the president reiterated the importance of completing the Spotify Camp Nou redevelopment as quickly as possible, describing the stadium as the future economic centre of the club.

At the same time, he underlined the club’s sporting objectives, making it clear that the team wishes to win every possible trophy this season.

“We aspire to win everything, and I’m convinced that if we support the team and the coaching staff, we will achieve it,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

Laporta: “There is no room for complacency”

Looking back at Barcelona’s progress in recent years, Laporta placed particular emphasis on the role of the club’s members.

“Together we have managed to restore the club’s economic strength and together we have defended Barça. Together we will continue building the best club in the world,” he stated.

He also warned against becoming complacent despite the club’s recent progress, saying: “We will not give up. Loving Barça means working every day to become better. There is no room for complacency.”

Laporta wants to win everything. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

A pointed reference to Barcelona’s rivals

Laporta also addressed the financial models of Barcelona’s competitors in Spain and across Europe, arguing that the club must find ways to remain ahead despite operating under a different structure.

“We have to be imaginative and brave to stay ahead of our competitors, who are either limited companies, owned by investment funds, or state-owned clubs who, when they need it, have land reclassified for them and carry on as if nothing happened.”

His comments were a clear reference to the different ownership and financing structures of clubs such as Atletico Madrid (investment fund comment) and Real Madrid (alluding to the Rayo Vallecano land reclassification issue).

Praise for Deco, Flick and the squad

Laporta was particularly positive about the work of sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick, as well as the balance within the squad.

“There is a perfect symbiosis in the dressing room between the players from La Masia and those who have come from elsewhere.”

“The team is being brilliantly managed and has been very well put together thanks to Deco’s work. We have built a team that allows us to say today that we aspire to win everything,” he added.

Barcelona are targeting a third consecutive La Liga title, as well as the Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League.

“We aspire to win the third consecutive league title, the Copa and the Super Cup, and of course we aspire to win the Champions League. If we support them, we will achieve it. I’m convinced,” he added.

Laporta pleased with Flick and Deco’s work. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Laporta also highlighted Barcelona’s success across all sections of the club.

He singled out the basketball team, which has undergone a major transformation and has already won the Lliga Catalana, which he hopes will be the first of several trophies.

The president then made a broader point about Barcelona’s European success, saying: “We have 50 Champions Leagues. There is no club in the world that has 50 Champions Leagues.”

Commitment to Barcelona’s identity

Laporta concluded by reaffirming his commitment to Barcelona’s member-owned structure and the club’s identity in Catalonia and around the world.

“The purpose of the coming years is to keep winning, maintain Barça as the biggest club in the world and continue being what we are: a Catalan club, open to the world, a club that contributes to making the world a better place and is committed to Catalonia and our culture.”

He also stressed that Barcelona embraces supporters from different backgrounds, saying: “The identification between Barça and Catalonia is accepted by all Barça fans, wherever they come from.

“Barça accepts and respects diversity, the kaleidoscopic perspectives of Barça fans around the world, and it is a club that embraces freedom, a value linked to Barça and to the social strength and influence of our club.”