Laporta talks Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Ballon d’Or, Barcelona captaincy, Champions League ambitions: ‘The main objective’

Laporta talks Pedri, Raphinha, Gavi, Ballon d’Or, Barcelona captaincy, Champions League ambitions: ‘The main objective’ FC Barcelona and Feyenoord meet at the Spotify Camp Nou this evening, with both sides beginning their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaigns. Before kick-off, representatives from the two clubs attended the traditional directors’ lunch, with club president Joan Laporta leading the Barcelona delegation. At that time, the Barça chief took some time to answer questions from the media, and addressed the club’s goals in the Champions League, among other topics. Barcelona targeting Champions League glory Laporta made no secret of the importance Barcelona place on the Champions League this season, although he also outlined the club’s ambitions domestically. “Our objective is to win a third consecutive La Liga title, which would be extraordinary. We also want to remain the kings of the cups, which would be very good,” he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo . “We want to win the Super Cup and make a statement midway through the season that we’re here to try to win the league. And, of course, this year we want to win the Champions League.” Asked whether the Champions League represents the club’s biggest objective, Laporta was unequivocal. “If you ask me about the main objective, yes, I would say so.” Laporta hails Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or nominees Laporta elated with Barcelona’s strong representation at Ballon d’Or. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) The Barcelona president was also proud of the club’s strong presence across the various Ballon d’Or categories, with players, coaches and the club itself receiving nominations. “Barça are a unique club in the world, and one proof of that is these nominations we have at the level of players, players in the women’s team, coaches and the club. We’re very proud.” Laporta said his preference was naturally for Barcelona representatives to take the major prizes. “My favourites are the Barça players and the Barça women. I’ll be immensely happy if a Barça player and a Barça player from the women’s team win.” While hailing Lamine Yamal and tipping him as a strong contender to win the Ballon d’Or, Laporta also addressed the decision to make the youngster one of Barcelona’s captains, acknowledging that other players could have been considered for the role. “I feel sorry for some players who could also have been captains, such as Gavi, who has a history with the club as well. That’s a decision made by the players and Hansi, and I think it was very well taken,” he said. At the same time, Laporta believes several other Barcelona stars also deserved recognition in the Ballon d’Or nominations. “It also bothers me when you talk about the nominations and neither Pedri nor Raphinha are nominated. I think they also did enough to be nominated. Given their quality, they deserved to be there.” Laporta disappointed to see Pedri and Raphinha miss out on nominations. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) Laporta avoids Real Madrid talk Laporta was also asked about Real Madrid’s complaints regarding refereeing following their defeat to Real Betis. The Barcelona president was keen to avoid adding fuel to the debate. Instead, he focused on his own club and praised the work carried out by sporting director Deco and the rest of the football department. “We’re focused on and very excited about Barça. The Barça team we’ve built. Deco has done an extraordinary job, together with Bojan and the entire sporting commission,” he said. Laporta also highlighted the cooperation between Deco, Bojan, Alejandro Echevarria and Hansi Flick in putting together a competitive squad. “Deco has been directing things brilliantly, with Bojan and Alejandro also coordinating with Deco and Hansi Flick. Together, we’ve managed to build this very competitive squad.” His message regarding Real Madrid and other clubs was deliberately conciliatory, as he said: “What excites us most is Barça. What other teams do, as long as they don’t cross the line of respect and institutional harmony that must be maintained, we’re in this position. “Other teams can do whatever they consider appropriate. We always respect that, provided there is no breach of what is normal in relations between clubs.”