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Ahead of Barcelona’s encounter with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, Joan Laporta has spoken to **[L’Équipe](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Le-president-joan-laporta-raconte-son-fc-barcelone-avant-le-choc-face-au-psg-en-ligue-des-champions-lamine-yamal-c-est-le-divertissement/1736934).** He notably spoke about the Catalan club’s star player and Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal (19), who has previously been linked with a move to the European champions.
At the age of just 19, Yamal is already a European and world champion with _La Roja._ He has also won La Liga with Barcelona, although the Champions League trophy is one that he has yet to add to his cabinet. There was a chance that he could have done so with PSG, who are now two-time European champions thanks to back-to-back triumphs in the competition.
Speaking in May 2025, sporting director Deco revealed that PSG had shown an interest in the forward. _Les Parisiens_ have previously denied having made an approach.
In any case, Barcelona are clear that Yamal is not for sale and they don’t fear losing their academy product. _“We are confident in our strengths. Barcelona pays its players well. That has always been the case. It is a question of feeling at ease at the club. Far away from Barcelona, it is cold. We are good here,”_ Laporta told **L’Équipe.**
On the World Cup winner, Laporta added, _“He has this spectacular dimension. He is a player who knows how to make the supporters enjoy themselves. Lamine is a genius! He has this magic within him, this spectacular character. He has his way of playing but also his mentality. Lamine is entertainment! You can’t think about football without thinking about Lamine.”_
[GFFN](https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/) | Luke Entwistle