Only a day after the [memorable 2-1 win against Girona](https://semprebarca.com/pedri-9-0-frenkie-8-5-fc-barcelona-2-1-girona-player-ratings/) in La Liga, FC Barcelona held their Ordinary General Assembly, where president Joan Laporta delivered one of his most passionate speeches in recent memory.
As reported by [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20251019/1002553295/unicos-garantes-barca-sera-sa.html), the Blaugrana chief used the occasion to defend his administration’s management model and to reiterate his commitment to protecting the club’s unique social ownership structure. He emphasized that under his leadership, Barcelona will never become a public limited company.
**“I’ve spent four and a half years hearing that we’re going to turn the club into a public limited company. Fortunately, the facts disprove those malicious claims. It’s clear that for the past four years, we have been working — not just saying — to ensure that you, the members, remain the owners of this club.”**
Laporta was firm in addressing criticism that his board could eventually push Barcelona toward a business-style corporate model.
**“This board that I preside over — we are the guarantors that the club will always be owned by its members, and more than that, we are the only guarantors. As for those who speak of management, those who boast that Barça is just a company… these ‘setciències’ (know-it-alls), ‘mestre-tites’ (teacher’s pets) who love to lecture… watch out and keep them far away!”**
He also made a point to remind everyone that Barcelona is not just a football club but a global institution deeply rooted in Catalan identity and values.
**“Barça is much more than a company; it is an institution that plays a role in the world, and in Catalonia. It’s a global institution with a Foundation dedicated to developing social programs. Of course, management criteria are necessary, but Barça is not just a company with a corporate management scope — it also has a social dimension, a sporting dimension… It cannot be governed by the codes taught in business schools. Barça is much more than that. It’s a Catalan institution, open to the world. Barça is an institution committed to equality, to democracy, to freedoms, to Catalonia, to our culture and language. That’s why we are more than a club — because of our commitment to Catalonia. Loving Barça means defending it against all adversity, against anyone who tries to destabilize or control it, and defending it with a winning mentality.”**
Laporta then drew inspiration from last night’s match against Girona, using it as a metaphor for unity and resilience.
**“I ask that we stay united and stand with Barça — we must believe until the very end. Yesterday, Hansi Flick put Araujo up front as a striker, and in the end, he scored the goal that put us top of the table. That is the spirit I want.”**
Turning to the progress made in recent years, Laporta highlighted the tangible improvements that, in his view, speak for themselves.
**“We can take whichever indicator you want, and you’ll reach the conclusion that we are better than four years ago, no matter how you look at it. That we are much better off than four and a half years ago is objectively true. To those who don’t want to see it, I’m reminded of the saying that there’s no one more blind than he who will not see.”**
The Barcelona president went on to stress that his administration had remained calm and determined despite constant criticism.
**“We haven’t paid attention to catastrophic proclamations or apocalyptic predictions. They’re nowhere to be seen — and that’s because we’ve worked hard. Loving Barça means defending it against everything and everyone.”**
Laporta closed his address by reaffirming his belief in the direction the club is taking.
**“We feel stronger and more determined than ever to complete Barça’s recovery.”**
There is no doubt that under Joan Laporta’s leadership, FC Barcelona has made significant strides both on and off the pitch. The challenge now is to maintain this upward trajectory and continue building a club that remains true to its identity while competing with the best in Europe.