Laporta: “I didn’t know that Messi would come, but the Camp Nou is his home” | Football | Sports

FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, pointed out several current aspects of the Catalan team in a week marked by the surprise visit of Leo Messi to the Camp Nou, and the controversy sparked by the dismissal of Lamine Yamal from the Spanish team. Barcelona’s supreme leader gave his explanations to Catalunya Radio. Regarding Messi’s visit to the Camp Nou, the president explained the following: “I didn’t know he was coming, but Spotify Camp Nou is his home. When they explained to me how it was, I thought it was a nice outburst. He finished dinner and wanted to come with some friends.” The Barcelona president concluded his speech by saying: “It is fair that Leo receives the most beautiful honor in the world. When finished we will have the capacity to accommodate 105,000 fans, so we would like that. We are working towards the honor and so that the best football in the world can be seen, and within the framework of the honor, we would like to give him the honor that Leo deserves.”

Laporta also admitted that the Argentine star’s departure from the club in 2021 did not happen as he wanted. Laporta said: “It was not what we all wanted, things were as they were. If the honor can make us return, in some way, what was not all that needed to be done, but had to be done, then that would be good. Speculation about a possible return as a player is not appropriate.”

The other big problem that the Catalan team is currently facing is the withdrawal of Lamine Yamal, due to injury, from the focus of the Spanish football team in the next two matches against Georgia and Turkey. Laporta said: “We informed them when we got a response from the doctor who examined him. Our doctors referred him to the federation’s doctors. That’s how things went. We don’t want any controversy. On Monday, the specialist came, gave him a diagnosis and treatment. Barcelona wants him to be in the best conditions and we want him to be available. It happened and coincided with the national team’s match, but the national team is already well on track.” He explained: “This does not harm the team’s classification, and we are doing what we have to do for Barcelona.”

The leader also had words to analyze Lamin Yamal’s lifestyle. He said, “I am not worried at all. He is a player who must be protected and helped, but he is more mature than any child his age. Now he has a problem with pubic pain and it is a great credit to him that he continues to play. This shows his commitment.”