Barcelona president takes shots at Real Madrid, backs Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or over Mbappe

Barcelona president takes shots at Real Madrid, backs Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or over Mbappe One month into the new season, it is clear that Barcelona are in the ascendancy in the Spanish footballing ladder, having enjoyed a brilliant start to the season. The Catalans have accumulated bragging rights over Real Madrid by signing Rodri and may soon have a Ballon d’Or recipient on their books, with Lamine Yamal leading the charts. Barcelona president Joan Laporta took full advantage of these bragging rights to fire shots at Real Madrid in a recent press interaction. Laporta’s digs at Real Madrid Laporta first talked about Rayo Vallecano, who have won the right to continue playing at Vallecas. Laporta took multiple shots at Real Madrid in a recent interaction. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images) “I am very happy for Raul Martin Presa and his family. They deserve it,” he said, as quoted by SPORT , before adding a phrase loaded with intent. “It was inconceivable that some will be requalified by land and it turns out that others were forbidden to play in their stadium.” Laporta added that the Rayo president had assured him they met every requirement. “ Raul tells me that they had all the permits and that they had done everything they had to play in Vallecas,” he said. The president also spoke glowingly of Rodri, taking the chance to remind everyone where the midfielder chose to sign. “They wanted him in the other part. He decided for Barça and that he decided for us, we the culers loved,” he said. He was full of praise for the signing. “What a signing. You saw him the other day. “They say he’s not playing one hundred percent and I don’t know what’s going to happen when he’s full. It is admirable, ” he added, while also describing Rodri as “a very sensible man, very mature, very leader.” Laporta was, however, careful to temper the euphoria. “You have to touch with your feet on the ground. Goals are achieved by working and we will do so. I think we have two or three players per position,” he noted. Laporta’s defence of Yamal The Barcelona president also came out firmly in defence of Lamine Yamal in the race for the Ballon d’Or, insisting the youngster is entitled to back himself. “I would be delighted if Lamine won the Ballon d’Or. And, in fact, he deserves it,” Laporta said. Laporta believes Yamal should win the Ballon d’Or. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) His comments come in the midst of reports that suggest Barcelona are preparing major campaign to promote Yamal’s candidacy for the Ballon d’Or . He argued that the teenager should feel free to speak up, particularly given other candidates have done the same. “He has to say it because others are doing it too. The world has changed a little and these young people are very out of complexity, casual. In addition, Lamine has a natural sympathy and said it in a tone that you have to take in a good way.” In a clear reference to Kylian Mbappe, Laporta questioned the criticism aimed at Lamine. “If Lamine has campaigned for himself, I have not seen criticism of those who have done so before,” he said. The president also pointed to the collective and individual honours behind Lamine’s candidacy. “The Ballon d’Or is rewarded for a whole season and Lamine has done more than merit. Apart from his individual talent, he has achieved collective and individual merits. Liga, Super Cup and World Cup are enough merits,” he concluded.