FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta reappeared publicly one week after the Copa del Rey final. Beyond the result, his intervention left strong headlines, with Real Madrid as the target of several reflections. Laporta spoke on RAC 1 about everything: the coach, the final, the refereeing... and also about what happened off the field.
Total Confidence in Hansi Flick
Joan Laporta began his intervention by showing absolute support for the German coach. Although he has been on the bench for a short time, the board is delighted with his work.
"We want this stage to last as long as possible," assured Joan Laporta. However, he also acknowledged that Flick is cautious and prefers to renew year by year. Even so, the club's machinery is already in motion to ensure his continuity next season.
The president praised not only his knowledge of the game but also his human quality. In 'Jan's' words: "He understands the club, connects with the players, and knows what it means to be here."
The Final: Without External Distractions
One of the topics that sparked interest was Real Madrid's attitude in the days leading up to the final. The white club decided not to attend the joint press conference, not to attend the directors' dinner, and not to train at the stadium where the match would be played.
Laporta downplayed these gestures. For him, they were part of a media strategy that didn't affect Barça.
"We experienced it as just another strategy," he said, in a calm tone. He added that his team's objective was very different: to focus on soccer, not on gestures. "We knew it would be a spectacle worthy of the best match in the world," he commented with pride.
The Refereeing: Without Controversies
Against all odds, Laporta positively valued the refereeing performance in the final. Although he admitted that perfection is never reached, he was satisfied with the development of the match in that aspect. He even had cordial words for Florentino Pérez, with whom he said he shared a respectful moment after the match.
"Florentino was correct, he congratulated us," the Barça president recounted.
His message was clear: Barça doesn't want to engage in unnecessary wars over refereeing.
"The Rest is a Circus"
It was at this point that Laporta launched his harshest criticism of Real Madrid. Speaking of the noise before the match, he was blunt: "We try to stay away from all the noise. The rest is part of a circus."
With this phrase, he made it clear that he doesn't share either the form or the substance of Madrid's complaints. At Barça, he assured, the priority is to compete, not to divert attention. For him, the best response is on the field.
Laporta concluded with a message for the squad, aware of the physical and mental wear: "They are young, they are prepared, and they are taking us where we want to go."
Thus, a week later, the Barça president returned to the scene. He did so with the calmness of someone who believes in his project, and with the firmness of someone who doesn't fear a dialectical confrontation with the eternal rival.