BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 25: FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta faces the media during the unveiled of Hansi Flick as new FC Barcelona Coach at Spotify Camp Nou on July 25, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke to the media before the squad arrived in Mallorca for their opening game of the 2025/26 La Liga campaign later this evening.
The Barça chief was visibly elated as the club finally managed to complete the registration of summer signings Joan Garcia and Marcus Rashford, in time for them to face Mallorca at Son Moix today.
Addressing the matter, Laporta gave full credit to Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, for taking care of the registrations.
“I said it last night that Deco was working very well on this issue and that we were convinced we could count on both players today. We have to congratulate Deco on this issue, which, as you can see, is not easy,” said Laporta.
The president also criticised La Liga for the difficulties faced by all clubs in registering players, as he said:
“We’re all in the same boat. It’s very complicated, and we have to find solutions to make it more practical.”
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - JULY 19: FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta (R) arrives for a preseason friendly against Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on July 19, 2022 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Barcelona president Laporta happy with registrations being resolved. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
“We’re happy because we’ve had a good understanding with La Liga and have followed the process well, which is being experienced with a certain level of anticipation, because it’s true that the rules must be followed, but they’re very complicated,” he added.
With Garcia and Rashford registered, Laporta did not forget that other players such as Wojciech Szczesny, Roony Bardghji, and Gerard Martin are still pending their registrations.
“We were hoping to reduce the squad size, and we have found solutions to be able to register the two signings. We will continue working because there are still other players to be registered, and we are confident that we will be able to do so,” he said.
Finally, Laporta expressed his satisfaction with the current Barcelona squad, saying: “We are very happy with the squad. We are always grateful to Flick for the good work he is doing, and we believe we are contenders to win all competitions.
“Only one team can win, and it’s not easy. We hope that success will come and that Barça fans will enjoy this sweet moment.”