Barcelona president Laporta talks Camp Nou return, team performance, Hansi Flick, and upcoming Chelsea clash | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have spent the last 2.5 seasons away from home and have had a nomadic experience playing at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. On Saturday night, however, the Catalan club finally returned to their permanent home, the new Spotify Camp Nou.

The Catalan club marked the occasion with a sensational 4-0 win over Athletic Club. A brace from Ferran Torres, along with goals from Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez, helped Hansi Flick’s team get the win, while Joan Garcia helped keep the clean sheet.

After the game, Joan Laporta was a very happy man, seeing the team return to the Spotify Camp Nou. As quoted by Mundo Deportivo, here is what he said:

“It has become a reality, we are back home, and on top of that, with a great football spectacle. I’m very happy, like all Culés, we’ve reclaimed a day of joy in living, the joy of being Barça, of experiencing Barça, and we saw this in the ceremonial first kick with the oldest members.”

Laporta then revealed that on this momentous day, he thought about the people who were no longer here. He said:

“You think of the people who are no longer here, obviously my father, who instilled in me the values of Barcelonism and Catalanism. When I look ahead and see the place where I used to go with him, I get emotional. The events that were prepared were simple but very dignified. The stadium is not finished yet; this was just a return. The ceremonial first kick by member number 6, accompanied by a member who had paraded in ’57, I really liked it.”

The president then had some praise for the team and Hansi Flick. He continued:

“Everyone played very well; they were aware that we were returning home and gave their all: talent, effort, fight… and we had a perfect match. Flick read the game very well. Winning on the return home was very important. I was a little worried that the happiness of coming back home might distract the team, but I saw they are very strong mentally and played a great football match.”

Laporta then spoke about what Hansi Flick told him. He said:

“Flick tells me: ‘President, I want to see it all finished—with 105,000 spectators—and I tell him, you will, here you are established.’”

Laporta then reiterated the fact that he is very happy with the German manager. He mentioned:

“We are very happy with Hansi; if you see the training sessions, how he treats the players, he’s a professional, has a good staff, and truly gives you a sense of security because he is doing very well.”

He then spoke about the difference between the stadium at Montjuic and the Camp Nou. He said:

“You can feel that the people are closer to the team. Montjuïc worked very well; it’s not an athletics track, but coming back home helps. It was very emotional.”

With the return now a reality, Laporta then spoke about the next objective in the evolution of the stadium. He said:

“The message is that everything is moving at a good pace. I discussed it with the mayor of Barcelona, who is also one of the key figures who made this return possible. In Gol Norte, we hope to have it finished by the end of this year, and throughout 2026, we will be able to complete the entire third tier. It’s a pride of Barcelonism, the most important project in our history. Not only should this reality be seen, but it should also be experienced. The older members asked me, ‘Please finish it, I want to see it.’”

The Barcelona president then called the project a source of pride. He said:

Joan Laporta finally spoke about the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, reiterating the importance of securing a win. He said:

“In London, we have to win, which is not easy, but it’s true we have a team. I don’t know if we’ll recover any more players. Chelsea is very strong, they have a very balanced team, but we have a high level of football, and we’ll do everything to try to win.”

Love him or hate him, no one can question Laporta’s passion towards FC Barcelona. He bleeds Blue & Garnet, and it would have made him proud to see the return to the Spotify Camp Nou. Let’s hope the development goes as planned and we see the full 105,000 capacity real soon.