Barcelona president sends emotional and heartfelt message following the demise of team doctor | OneFootball

Barcelona’s game against Osasuna was postponed just before the kickoff following the death of Barcelona’s team doctor, Carles Minarro. The first-team doctor tragically passed away at the team’s training camp.

In an emotional video message shared on the club’s official channels, Barcelona president Joan Laporta expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of a man he described as “a great professional, a great doctor.”

“It is very sad what happened and this must make us stronger,” Laporta said, while also extending his condolences to Minarro’s family and friends.

Laporta’s emotional announcement

The Barça president, visibly shaken, delivered a heartfelt statement confirming the tragic news and reflecting on Minarro’s impact on the club.

“I would like to announce on behalf of FC Barcelona the death of the first team doctor Carles Miñarro, a man much loved by everyone who passed away this afternoon at the team’s training camp.

“As you can imagine, the players, the staff, and the coach were all very sad. We all loved him very much. He came to all the away games to look after all the players and he never said no to anyone. He was a great doctor and a great professional,” he said.

Laporta on postponing the Osasuna match

Given the circumstances, Barcelona requested the postponement of their scheduled match, a decision that was met with full support from LaLiga, Osasuna, and the officiating team.

“In these moments of so much pain we have considered that the best thing was to ask for the postponement of the match, so we have considered it and we have communicated it to the president of LaLiga to explain the situation and what happened.

“He has understood it and has initiated all the procedures for the suspension,” Laporta revealed.

Barcelona received immense support from both La Liga and Osasuna (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The Barcelona president also went on to thank Osasuna and its leadership team for understanding the situation and lending their support.

“We have had the maximum understanding on the part of Osasuna, its president and its management team. They have behaved in an extraordinary way. The refereeing team has also understood it perfectly. It is very painful news for FC Barcelona,” Laporta stated.

Laporta reiterated that postponing the match was the only appropriate course of action, considering the deep impact of Minarro’s passing on the players, staff, and club members.

“We had to ask for the postponement,” he stressed. “The players were very affected and out of respect for Carles Miñarro, his family, the entire staff, coach and fellow board members, we thought that the best thing was to postpone the match.”

The Barcelona president expressed gratitude to all those who played a role in making this difficult decision possible, ensuring that respect and compassion took precedence in such a heartbreaking moment.

“I want to thank the understanding of all those who had responsibility in this decision because I think we have done the best and we have made the decision that we had to. Thank you very much,” Laporta concluded.

Shock and support for family

Laporta emphasized how sudden and shocking the news was for everyone at the club, adding that they immediately reached out to Minarro’s family to offer their condolences.

“We are in shock because everything happened so suddenly. We have contacted his family, his mother and his wife. We offer them our condolences at this very painful time, especially for them.

“We wanted them to know immediately because it is news of great significance and even more so when it involved the suspension of the match,” he said.

The Barcelona president also expressed his concern for Minarro’s grieving family.

“Carles leaves behind two children, Gerard and Anna, as well as his wife, who was very affected, as is logical and normal. We have to be by their side.

“We have asked for the understanding of the members and Barça fans who were planning to watch the match and I saw great understanding when we announced it over the loudspeakers. There was applause and a small tribute,” he pointed out.