Laporta talks Xavi, Messi, Lamine, Dro, Rashford, Lewandowski – ‘The idea is for Deco to renew his contract’ | OneFootball

Following his re-election as FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta granted an interview on RAC1 (h/t SPORT) earlier today, where he discussed everything Barça.

The returning club president confirmed that things have been set in motion to renew the contract of manager Hansi Flick beyond 2027, while also expressing his desire to extend sporting director Deco’s deal as well.

Beyond that, Laporta also shed light on the club’s plans for the summer, especially with regard to the futures of players like Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski.

On Lewandowski’s contract

As he has said before, Laporta once again made it clear that he would like to offer Lewandowski, whose contract expires in the summer, a new extension.

“The idea is for Deco to renew his contract. He deserves it. He came to Bayern in a very difficult situation. I remember his presentation in Miami. If he wants to stay, because his contract is expiring, we’d like him to,” Laporta confirmed.

“He’s accepted the role he’s been given, and it works well with Ferran Torres. I hope he wants to continue and that it happens,” he added.

On how it would affect the club’s plans to sign a new centre-forward in the summer, the president noted:

“With Ferran and Lewandowski, the position is covered. If it needs strengthening, it will be. There are already strikers. Harry Kane would be the same age as Lewandowski….”

Regarding the continuity of Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United, Laporta explained:

“Marcus is performing very well with assists and goals, and Cancelo, on the other hand, is doing very well. He has become a key player due to the injuries of both full-backs.

“We will try, in Barça’s interest, to ensure that Marcus can continue.”

On Lamine Yamal and Dro

Laporta was also full of praise for La Masia sensation Lamine Yamal, calling the teenage prodigy an ‘artist’.

“He’s an artist, a genius, he’s a Barça player. Lamine has a contract until 2031. The renewal wasn’t difficult. Special players, with a gift in their left foot, end up taking penalties and free kicks,” he said.

“In Newcastle, I said it showed courage and maturity to take the penalty,” Laporta added, speaking about Lamine’s goal against Newcastle United last week.

Laporta was full of praise for Lamine. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Also touching on the support shown by the youngster on the eve of election day, with a post on social media, the newly-elected president remarked:

“I didn’t know he would post the photo of us together before the elections. Everyone tells Alejandro Echevarría everything. I told him his support wasn’t necessary. They’re pressuring me to do something, and Lamine posted the photo.”

Meanwhile, Laporta also touched on the departure of Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez to PSG and made it clear that such a situation will not repeat with the latest La Masia breakthrough talent, Xavi Espart.

“Dro was an exceptional case. We trusted the agent, but in the end, it didn’t work out that way. It was a transfer deal made because of the good relationship with PSG,” said Laporta.

On Espart’s situation, he added: “If he’s been promoted to the first team, it’s because we have him under control.

“His contract should already be updated. Being part of the first team dynamic changes the clauses.”

On Messi and Xavi

Regarding his broken relationship with club legend Lionel Messi, Laporta insisted that it was one of his priorities to sort things out, although the focus for now is on finishing the Camp Nou works and winning the Champions League.

“I’d be absolutely delighted to sort this out. The top priority is to finish the stadium. Also, beating Newcastle and reaching the Atlético-Tottenham match – I don’t mind which one – and then perhaps Arsenal. Economic recovery is essential,” he said.

Talking about Messi not taking any stance during the elections despite Victor Font and Marc Ciria using his name in their campaigns, Laporta added:

“As for the more personal matters and those concerning the club, and the club’s integrity, I’m glad he didn’t take a stance during the elections.”

Laporta also briefly spoke about another club legend, Xavi Hernandez, who blamed the president for Messi’s failed return to Barcelona in 2023.

‘The interview hurt me on a personal level, but not in terms of the campaign. We reacted well. It didn’t harm us because we explained the reasons for replacing Xavi with Hansi,” he said.

“What we didn’t want was a loss of motivation; the idea that ‘you’ve already won’ – and this actually worked in our favour.”