Joan Laporta says Real Madrid are losing status and credibility

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched a fresh attack on Real Madrid, claiming their stance on the Negreira case and absence from institutional meetings is damaging their reputation in domestic and international sport.

Laporta was speaking in Sitges on Saturday, where he was honoured before addressing the media. He criticised Real Madrid’s approach to the Negreira case and their absence from some meetings within football and basketball, saying: “In Madrid, they talk about other subjects to divert attention.”

The Barcelona president also praised his club’s current position, saying: “We are enjoying our football and our club, and we are receiving global recognition. We have nine players in the team who have won the World Cup, a side that captures people’s hearts and players who are role models for others. We are praised everywhere, while in Madrid they try to play all of that down.”

Laporta again defended Barcelona over the Negreira case, adding: “I will not stop repeating that we were subjected to an attempt to condemn us before our trial. It is now becoming clear that there was nothing behind what we were accused of. This case will end with Barcelona being cleared, and the people who have persistently tried to damage Barcelona’s image will have to correct their position.”

He continued: “They are prolonging the judicial investigations for as long as possible to keep this case alive, but it will not lead anywhere. The aim is to harm Barcelona’s credibility, and I do not believe they are acting in good faith.”

Laporta also referred to Real Madrid’s absence from institutional meetings involving the European football clubs’ association and the European basketball league.

“This reveals a great deal about the mentality of a club that is losing its prestige, status and credibility at local, national and international level,” he said. “That is clear. They have adopted an attitude of considerable arrogance and superiority, and they know what they are doing. They should have reassessed themselves.”

Laporta backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d’Or

With voting for the Ballon d’Or now closed, Laporta publicly backed Lamine Yamal to win the award.

“It would be fair for him to win it,” he said. “He had an outstanding season and won very important titles, such as the league and the World Cup. He deserves the Ballon d’Or. He feels that way, and I think it is good that he expresses his opinion. He is very honest and direct, and he is still young. That must always be taken into account.”

Laporta added that he would be “very happy” if Yamal won, although the results remain completely confidential. He said Yamal was eager to show his ability, while acknowledging that the 19-year-old sometimes expresses his views as part of a competitive race.

“There is a kind of rivalry, something that did not happen to this extent with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo,” Laporta said. “For me, Messi should always have won, but they did not announce their candidacy in this way. We should not exaggerate it. It is the human reaction of a 19-year-old who will write history.”

Raphinha expected to face Paris

Laporta expressed regret over Raphinha’s injury while he was with the Brazil squad, but said the forward had recovered at Barcelona.

“He was injured, then he returned and recovered here,” said Laporta. “The doctors say he will be available for the match against Paris. These are circumstances we have to accept.”

He added that the situation was a major setback for the club and compared it to almost another period of pre-season preparation. Barcelona would not be able to change the circumstances during the current year, he said, and would have to rely on the players available to them. The club had been aware of the situation and was prepared.