Joan Laporta turned the Ateneu Barcelonès (a historic cultural institution and building in central Barcelona where lectures, debates, and book presentations are held) into a small festival of Barça nostalgia this week as he presented his book Així hem salvat el Barça – or, “This is How We Saved Barça.” The former president took the audience through the last five years, as he made the case that he should be president again in the upcoming elections.
“I didn’t want to be arrogant but we saved Barça
from a very complex situation,” Laporta said, pointing to the cover of his book: a snapshot of him in a worker’s vest, sleeves rolled up, at a construction site in Spotify Camp Nou. “It wasn’t done in offices, nor with a suit and tie. It was done by rolling up our sleeves and working hard.”
“There is a sporting project that has enamored all Barcelonistas. Last year we won a historic treble. That excitement is wonderful,” he said.
That same audience had two luminaries in attendance: first-team coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.
“I want to highlight Deco’s work. It’s admirable because the situation was extremely difficult. We now have an economic surplus over the past three seasons and the squad has been renewed […] Sometimes people underestimate his work. Two of the things that make me happiest are having these two here today,” Laporta said.
Not everything was celebratory. Laporta addressed one of the toughest moments of his presidency: Lionel Messi’s departure. “The economy wasn’t strong or solid enough to accommodate Messi. The most difficult moments are always saying that a player, a coach, or a staff member can’t continue […] It was best for Barça and that’s life,” he said.
The launch drew an array of familiar faces. Ex-player Bojan Krkić (now a football coordinator for the club) and former president Joan Gaspart joined in support, as did several former members of the board.
Laporta struck an optimistic tone as he enters the presidential race as the heavy favorite to win again. Beyond touting his accomplishments, Laporta took the opportunity to joke that perhaps the book was missing a chapter on “who we saved Barça from,” a sly nod to old rivals.
