A picture is worth more than a thousand words. Last Wednesday, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was seen in Rome giving a frank hug to Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona. Which sparked a reaction since relations between the two men have not always been very good in the past, particularly due to the transfer window and the Superleague project. But the president of Paris Saint-Germain and that of Barça began to get closer a little over a year ago. In April 2024, they were reconciled during the double confrontation between the two clubs in the Champions League. The official dinner between the leaders made it possible to smooth things over.
Joan Laporta had even mentioned a possible return to the ECA (European Club Association), which has since become the EFC (European Club Association). A little over a year later, the smiles were still there at the beginning of October before the C1 clash between the Culés and the Ile-de-France residents (2-1 victory for PSG). After the meeting, the FCB boss did not hesitate to praise the French club. “This is the best team I’ve seen in a while. Really the whole team”he said after the defeat of the Blaugrana. A few days later, Laporta and NAK found themselves in the Italian capital where the EFC assembly was taking place, of which the Parisian leader is president.
Al-Khelaïfi and Laporta have patched things up
They had lunch together with the president of UEFA, Aleksander Ceferin, to discuss a possible return of Barça. What Laporta recognized. “As FC Barcelona, we are in favor of the pacification of European football. What we want is an agreement and a return to UEFA.” For his part, Al-Khelaïfi addressed strong words to the Barça boss. “Today I welcome a special guest. Sometimes friends may disagree, that's normal, but they always come together for the common good. He has revitalized his club, both on the pitch, with a young and incredible team, and off it, with a magnificent new stadium. To the president of FC Barcelona, Joan Laporta, I ask you to join me in wishing him a safe return to the family.
He added: “we are all here because football is more than a profession: it is our common passion, our passion. And while there are differences between us – big clubs, small clubs, different cultures, different players – those differences should never equate to conflict. There is so much conflict in the world today that we are all tired of it. Our duty is to build bridges, to bring people together. The power of football is greater than anything, and its unifying power has never been more necessary than today.” This rapprochement was not to everyone's taste. Very quickly, certain voices were raised on the other side of the Pyrenees.
A reconciliation that goes badly
In the show OnzeTV3 on Catalan media Esports3consultant Lluis Carasco blurted out: “This embrace does not come from a big club, it comes from a club that accepts the submission to power that Al-Khelaïfi represents, but it also represents unity within the world of football.” Real Madrid also have it bad. By approaching UEFA and the EFC, Laporta also took a step back regarding the Superleague. A project which was only carried by the Merengues and the Catalans, who decided to “let the project die” as explained by Cadena SER. But they haven't done it publicly because they would have to pay very large penalties to A22 Sports Management, the company that is supposed to help set up the SL.
This Thursday, the Cadena SER explains that Real Madrid, which is more alone than ever, experienced Barça's about-face as a kind of betrayal. The Madrilenians, who are not close to NAK and UEFA, did not appreciate it but they did not make it known publicly. Florentino Pérez will not speak on the subject according to several Spanish media. On the other hand, the Merengues have already started to act behind the scenes. Iberian radio explains that Real Madrid, for example, filed a complaint to prevent Barça from playing the match against Villarreal in Miami. Among the women, the capital club also refused to play the 2025 Spanish Super Cup in Florida. However, the FCB Féminin was in favor of it. Real Madrid's decision caused an outcry in Catalonia but also among other women's clubs and within the Spanish federation.
Real Madrid strikes back behind the scenes
Everyone saw it as an opportunity to promote women's football but also to make money since each club would have received 150,000 euros. The Madrid team does not intend to give any gifts to Barça, who have turned around. In the show El Larguerojournalist Manu Carreño spoke about these emerging tensions. “Madrid filed a complaint for this match against Barça. And I don't know why, but I have the impression that from now on we are going to experience a before and after in relations between Madrid and Barça. I have the feeling that something has changed since the hug between Laporta and Al-Khelaïfi. So far, there have been several points on which, let's say, Real Madrid have not particularly sought to point the finger at FC Barcelona… And I think that from now on the relations between the two are going to be much more difficult.
An opinion shared by Sique Rodríguez, also on the Cadena SER : ” I agree. And I’ll tell you more, Barça is already aware of it.” On Radio Marca, journalist Roberto Gómez revealed that the president of Barça broke up with his Madrid counterpart for a very specific reason. “Laporta is angry with Florentino (Pérez), with whom he had a very vague relationship until recently due to the Negreira affair. He is now seeking to secure his future, which involves Ceferin and UEFA.” On this point, the Madrid president does not intend to change his mind. “Real Madrid maintains its relationship with UEFA. For Florentino Pérez, the new European championship remains a strategic priority, a project with which he intends to transform elite football.writing Marca. But the Merengues are alone against everyone, abandoned by Barça, their ultimate ally. All about ten days before a Clasico which promises to be fiery on the pitch as well as behind the scenes.
