After the team’s long-awaited return to the Spotify Camp Nou, complete with a convincing 4-0 win over Athletic Club, FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta was an immensely happy man.
The president has had to face a lot of criticism along the way, as there were delays and setbacks along the way. But the day finally came when Barça returned to the renovated Spotify Camp Nou, even though it is only with a capacity of 45,000 for the moment.
Laporta overjoyed
Speaking to the media after the homecoming and the resounding victory of the team over Athletic, Laporta said:
“It’s become a reality, we’re back home, and on top of that, with a fantastic football spectacle. I’m very happy, like all Barça fans.
“We’ve celebrated a truly special day, a day that celebrates the joy of being a Barça fan, of experiencing Barça, and we saw this with the ceremonial kickoff with the club’s oldest members.”
On the special day and what it meant for him and the fans, Laporta explained: “You think about the people who are no longer with us, obviously my father, who instilled in me a love for Barcelona and Catalan identity.
“When I look ahead and see the place I used to go with him, I get emotional. The events that have been organised have been simple, but very dignified. The stadium isn’t finished yet; it was a lap of honour.
“I really liked the ceremonial kickoff by member number 6, accompanied by a member who had marched in the 1957 parade.”
With the return to Camp Nou now complete, Laporta set the next objective – further increasing the stadium capacity.
“The message is that everything is going well. I spoke about it with the Mayor of Barcelona, who is also one of the people responsible for us being able to return,” said Laporta.
“We hope to have the North Stand ready by the end of this year, and throughout 2026 we will be able to finish the entire third tier. It is a source of pride for Barcelona fans, the most important project in our history.”
“Not only do you have to see this reality, but you also have to experience it. The older members asked me, ‘Please finish it, I want to see it.’”
On the performance
The Barça president praised the team’s performance on the special night, saying: “Everyone played very well. They knew we were coming home and gave it their all: talent, effort, fight… and we had a perfect match. Flick read the game very well.
“Winning on our return home was very important. I was a little worried that the happiness of returning home might get in the way of the team, but I saw that they are very strong mentally and played a great game of football.”
Revealing what manager Hansi Flick told him after the game, Laporta added: “Flick tells me, ‘Presi, I want to see it all finished, with 105,000 spectators.’ And I tell him, ‘You’ll see it, you’re here to stay.’”
Avui ha estat un dia de joia amb el retorn al nou Spotify Camp Nou, on hem recordat els moments mítics del passat conscients que aquest estadi, que serà el millor del món, és el llegat que deixarem a les futures generacions. Gaudim del present i construïm el futur junts, culers! pic.twitter.com/PQWlwbXBVS
— Joan Laporta Estruch (@JoanLaportaFCB) November 7, 2025
Praising the manager’s work, he added: “We are very happy with Hansi. If you watch the training sessions, how he treats the players, he is a professional, he has a good staff, and the truth is that he gives you a feeling of security because he is doing very well.”
Laporta approved of the temporary stay at Estadi Lluis Companys Stadium but made it clear that nothing compares to being home.
“You can tell that people feel closer to the team. It’s not an athletics stadium, Montjuic has worked really well, but coming home helps. It’s been very exciting.”
“This puts us in a good position in the rest of the world, and I want all Barcelona fans to enjoy it,” he said.
After securing first place in La Liga for the night and celebrating the return home, Laporta admitted: “I’m going to have dinner with some friends to celebrate it.”
At the same time, the Barcelona president did not forget about the hugely important UEFA Champions League clash against Chelsea coming up next week.
“We have to win in London, which isn’t easy, but it’s true that we have a good team. I don’t know if we’ll have any more players back,” said Laporta.
“Chelsea are very good, they have a very balanced team, but we have a high level of football and we’re going to do everything we can to try and win,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
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