Joan Laporta: 'We need to win trophies this season'

On Thursday, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke exclusively to Barça TV about a number of things affecting the club and took a look back 2022. Here are some of the main things he had to say:

2022 in review

"It's been a tough year, the start of our recovery. We worked hard this summer on a team that is going to have to last for two years, with a few small changes if necessary. This is a team that can compete to win trophies. Some of the joy has come back but it won't really be back until we start winning things."

"Finance was the big problem. We had a huge debt and a massive payroll. We now have that debt under control and we are reducing the players' wage bill. Things are on the right track in sporting and financial terms. I am sure there are things that could have worked out better, but we are doing whatever we can and we have to look to the future. Barça fans have a strong feeling that an era of splendour is upon us and we need make it happen."

"What makes me happiest is seeing the stadium full again. We hadn't seen that for a few years, with the pandemic in the middle, but now the men's and women's teams are both attracting huge attendances, and that shows how much happier the fans are."

Leo Messi

"As Barça president I would love Leo Messi to come back to Barça one day but we mustn't get our hopes up too high. He has a contract with PSG. At Barça, we're delighted he won the World Cup, he deserved it. We are convinced that Messi is the greatest player of all time, and deep in his heart, he is a Culer. So, we'll see what happens."

Espai Barça

"We will soon be announcing the company that will oversee the restructure of the Spotify Camp Nou. Proposals have been received and on January 2 we will know who has made the cut and the decision will be ratified by the Board on January 15. We are aware just how much of a driving force this project is for the club, and we have to be transparent in the way we communicate things to the fans, who need to know how important this matter is for our future."

Move to Montjuïc

"It does create some difficulties, but we are going to have to move to Montjuïc. We have also done some work there and there is no going back now. We are getting the ground ready, particularly laying a new pitch for Barça to play on while we're there. We have a very good understanding with the city council."

Super League

"European football needs to change the way it works. It is increasingly harder to compete with the clubs in the Premier League. We have the strength to do so but we are finding it harder and harder to find the resources. This has to change and I hope the resolution by the European Court of Justice will be the right one for clubs."

"We have made a brave stand to get the governance system changed. It's the clubs that suffer most and that's wrong. We need the support to organise a competition, in liaison with UEFA. I am optimistic and always like to do things in dialogue, and we are willing to talk. This is fundamental for the sustainability of football clubs. Barça is here to make a stand for football clubs."

La Liga

"It was a cruel blow to get knocked out of the Champions League but we are hanging on nicely. The priority is the league and we and the team are motivated, with Xavi at the helm. We have such a competitive squad that we had more players at the World Cup than anyone else, 17 plus two more on loan. Our players are top quality, some young and some experienced, and right now we are top of the league."

"As president, and as someone who loves Barça, there is nothing I want more than to win another Champions League. But we also want to win the league. If you win that it means you can also win the Champions League."

Xavi

"If we are going to win trophies then the best support we could hope for is Xavi and all his staff, people we can trust and who know what the club is all about. Xavi's project really started this year when we were able to talk about the kind of players he needed. But I know he also has a lot of faith in La Masia, where we also have some highly promising players."

"His first year has exceeded expectations. He has played for Barça and knows the place through and through. It is a pleasure to talk to him and put things into perspective. He knows how this team is supposed to play and he knows how to deal with the players. It's an honour to have him as coach."

Lewandowski

"The team plays better with Lewandowski in the side and he's one of the reasons why the fans are coming back. He is responsible, he's serious, he's a lovely person who the people appreciate. He's playing very well, but so are the other new signings. Kounde just played in the World Cup Final, and I'm satisfied with all of the others too."

"We also have important players like Pedri and Gavi, they're very young but they are fully prepared, and have a good family around them. Frenkie de Jong is another talented young player, and a born leader. We have strength in every position. We worked hard to build a team last summer and there are no signs that we got anything wrong when we signed so many new players."

Piqué

"I have always got on very well with Piqué, he's an extraordinary person. It was a tough season for everyone and he was up against stiff competition in his position. The circumstances were what they were and in the end he decided to call it a day. Barça can only be grateful to him, he is a part of the club crest. He was always utterly dedicated to the Barça cause."

Sergio Busquets

"Xavi needs Sergio Busquets and thnks he should stay. But it is up to the player to decide once his contract ends, and the club will support whatever decision he makes. We hope he stays to the end of the season because this is his home."

The derby

"We have to beat Espanyol. We want to come back with a win. I'm sure the stadium will be packed. There is always a lot of rivalry in these games, but with the fans behind us, I think we'll win."

Women's team

"The women's team get better and better. First in the Liga and UCWL, and through to the next round. They play great football and are collecting so many individual accolades. We are sio proud of Alexia".

Saras and basketball

"Saras is a born winner. He knows we want to win the EuroLeague. We didn't manage it last year but we have signed new players and made changes. The team looks more dynamic than ever right now and Saras is a coach with a lot of character, we have every faith in him."

His son Guillem

"Compliance has made it clear than my son hasn't benefitted in any way. We have grown up very much a Barça family, I can't stop him from doing what he likes, finding young players. But there is a limit, and that limit is Barça. His is an honest, Barça man, and he respects those limits."

Whitebit deal

"We are permanently reviewing this crypto-currency operation. Every three months we check that they have the right licences, how the business is developing and so on. It is an important 10 million euro sponsorship deal."

Barça TV strike

"We know about the problems between Barça TV and Telefònica, they have made us aware of the problem. We are trying to help by talking to Telefònica. There is a meeting on the 28th and we understand the workers' situation to perfection."