How Laporta ‘rogue’ Barcelona continues as president

Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who wanted to rule the world, is credited with the decision, “I should rather have a lucky general than a good general.” In that case, I wonder what he would have made of FC Barcelona president John Laporta.

Sunday’s Super Cup final defeat Real Madrid Timed to mark the fourth anniversary of Laporta officially taking over a second stint in charge of the club in 2010 – good timing. And as any lucky general would have, the trophy emerged BarcelonaThe frustrated, humiliated rivals also came at a time when Laporta’s critics were reportedly circling with a desire to launch a no-confidence vote.

Still a better time, right? But that’s not where the fortune story ends for this 62-year-old lawyer who I think can easily be called a scoundrel and a scoundrel. However you feel about him and his club, you will never underestimate them.

When Laporta first took charge 21 years ago, in a whitewash of revolution, inspiration and rebellious spirit, he inspected the club’s world-renowned youth academy and discovered to his delight that he had inherited a young found Lionel Messi. Josep Munguela, the agent who brought Romario, Maradona and Messi to FC Barcelona, ​​once said: “I believe that Leo comes from a wonderful planet — where extraordinary people like violinists, architects and doctors are made.” — the chosen people.”

Given that Barcelona’s finances were a mess and they were in what would be six years without a trophy — these days, it would be considered a terminal crisis if they faced 12 months without picking up anything. are – Stumbling upon a junior recruit who would go on to become one of the greatest footballers of all time, and win 34 trophies while wearing the Blaugrana. The colors can be classified as the greatest stroke of luck any general could wish for.

Time to thank your lucky stars and accept that you have more than your fair share of luck? Not for President John — the man known to his friends as “John.”
All those attacking him need to accept that Laporta is an artful dodger full of love for the Catalan club, full of personal ego and ambition, cunning, aggressive, ruthless and streetwise. direction Somehow, he walks straight into the face of the storm and, although hurt, comes out the other side! That’s one way to look at his latest Camp Nou mandate as club president, helping to keep the storied club going.

A year after returning to power through a March 2021 election following a long absence from the Camp Nou, Laporta saw legendary Barcelona player-turned-manager Xavi Hernandez give the 15-year-old his debut. Lamin yamel. How on earth this club rediscovered the path to this sacred planet, and raided its natural resources a second time to extract Lamen Yemel, only heaven knows. But they have.

In that debut moment, Laporta had no idea what was about to erupt, but Corporal Lamine’s brilliant display against Madrid helped Hennessy Flick win his first trophy since taking charge — incidentally, the 17-year-old. It was the second goal. a ClassicoSomething he has achieved more and faster than Messi. Cristiano Ronaldowhich took eight matches and three years (!) to do so — highlighting that the lucky general is still figuring out the four-leaf clover.

During the on-pitch celebrations in Jeddah Saudi ArabiaAnd after the medal ceremony was over — Madrid dutifully stood by, suffering and waiting to lift the trophy before departing — Laporta put himself front and center, where a captain or coach should be. . on Monday, SpainHis media was filled with images of his eyes and happy face, sweating in the evening heat, the trophy clutched to him while he was surrounded by boys who were actually Hispanic and The European champions went out on a roll. .

Laporta has silverware in his hands, the sense of triumph palpable, his players’ faces bathed in post-joyous bliss. The battle is won and the battle may be turning — all seems well with their world. But as always with LaPorta, please don’t judge a book by its cover.

A few days ago, it seemed as if he was making all verbal promises. Dani Olmo And Pow Victor Hollywood mogul Sam Goldwyn was not worth the paper he was written on: Given that Barcelona were in breach of La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules, Both players were de-registered by the league. And faced six months, on full pay, sitting on the sidelines unable to play. That is, until now Laporta was convinced. The Spanish government will intervene, having already failed on several occasions to convince La Liga to do so.

This difficult, rude individual is the Laporta I would like to remind you of.

Stories of his youthful misadventures are legion. My book about Barca’s most remarkable era History describes how Laporta was educated at a clergy college, but expelled when, as a calculated protest against a strict physics teacher, the young Laporta pinched some test answers and shared them with the rest of his class. was given

When he was young, Spain still enforced military service. (Perhaps the “lucky general” thing started then?) So when his turn came, Laporta was duly sentenced to military prison, in order: mutiny against serving camel meat; sneaking out of the house for a few days of rest and recuperation; And, worst of all in the eyes of the military, being absent without leave on a day off Egypt with his girlfriend while a fellow soldier shouts ‘Available!’ They moved here and there shouting slogans. When Laporta’s name was called.

Once Laporta became a young lawyer, he began representing his hero, Dutch and Barca legend Johan Cruyff, and when the great was sacked by Barca, he was so outraged that he took over. embarked on a seven-year campaign to capture, a journey. Which culminated in 2003 when he won the presidential elections with a huge majority. As has often been the case with Laporta, hand stitching was involved.

LaPorta’s campaign was failing to get the necessary votes until he used friends and influence to make announcements. Manchester UnitedConfirmation of, that He
Agreed on the fee To sign David Beckham if, and when, he was announced as president in these upcoming elections. The fact was that United had previously agreed the same price with Madrid and the player had clearly decided to join. Galactico Revolution weeks ago. Anyway: the voters were convinced, they got distracted by the smoke and mirrors and elected their lucky general for the first time.

The rest of the story is a whirlwind of set-backs, rows, no-confidence votes and trophies galore. There is Laporta. His pants dropped Furious at the insistence of the Guardia Civil police that he was trying to smuggle something through Barcelona airport security in 2005. His unpopular support Unlucky and wanting to renew Frank Rijkaard’s contract in 2008 for the “Super League” designed by Florentino Perez when the Dutchman’s grip on the team crumbled, only the then director of football, Taxi Biggerstein to convince Laporta. To appoint youth Pep Guardiola. (The eight board members who Descended (In 2008, after an emergency meeting and vote of no confidence, only set a trend that has continued in Laporta’s latest regime.) This has led to court cases, and Messi being pushed out of the club against his will. In short, there’s a Laporta story for every facet of the world of football, from the good, the bad and the ugly to the funny, the triumphant and the downright outrageous.

Four years ago when LaPorta’s re-election campaign was in full swing, he Paid for a huge poster. All the way to the Madrid skyscrapers within full view of the Bernabeu stadium. “Can’t wait to see you again!” The slogan was a picture of Laporta with a jaw-dropping, gently airbrushed head and shoulders. It was a declaration of war… and the voters loved it.

Along the way, Laporta and his Catalan army have clashed and at times it seems as if they have lost the campaign. But, and now I’m sure Napoleon would have approved, his fortunes have suddenly turned good again, meaning we watch as La Liga, La Copa and the Champions League battle to resume. But do not take your eyes off. Write them at your own risk.