Laporta: "Atlético played the offended party over Julián Álvarez, in the end they showed their true colors"

Joan Laporta answered some of the questions asked by the members in the final part of this Saturday’s General Assembly , which lasted more than 10 hours. The Barcelona president referred to Atlético’s attitude toward Julián, defended the club’s Catalan identity while also expressing his satisfaction at supporting the Spanish national football team and his desire to make the entity a global and open institution. In addition, he was very critical of the international football governing bodies over this break.

'The president took a swipe at Atlético over their conduct in the last transfer window regarding the negotiations for the signing of Julián Álvarez . "They acted offended; they had no way to justify their attitude. We did what is usually done, there was club-to-club communication and then there was a personal communication from me with Gil Marín. He told me he was not coming because they had no alternative. Then they reacted out of line. I don't know what it was due to, I can imagine, but I have no proof. We were getting reports that they would sell him to every club except Barça . Then they took off the mask and said it openly," he asserted. '

I don't know what Atlético's attitude was due to; I can imagine it, but I have no proof

' Laporta , however, was satisfied with the composition of his squad: "That is a thing of the past, and we are very happy with the squad we have, and the coach is very happy as well. If we win today in Seville , it will be the eighth consecutive victory."'

Julián is a thing of the past, and we are very happy with the squad we have

'The club's Catalan identity also concerns the members, and the president had to defend it. "We are very proud of our Catalanism; this is the most pro-Catalan Board in history. We defend our freedoms and are clear about our commitment, but we must be a Board for all culés and ways of thinking, as long as democracy is respected. It is important to have a global Barça ; the more global we are, the stronger and freer we will be. I hope all culés feel comfortable. We do not do politics with Barça , but we do support the country," Laporta said.'

There were eight Barcelona players on the national team, I had to be there; Barça won the World Cup

'The lawyer also responded to a member who criticized his support for Luis De La Fuente's national team at the last World Cup : "There were eight Barcelona players in the national team. Barça won the World Cup. It was important for me to be there, as president of Barcelona . I had to be there. The treatment from the national team was exquisite, but that does not make me give up my way of thinking. We have to build bridges with the Federation and LaLiga". '

The treatment from the national team was exquisite, but that does not make me give up my way of thinking. We have to build bridges with the Federation and LaLiga

Likewise, the Blaugrana president was very critical of the international football governing bodies because of the large number of tournaments professionals have to play. "This break of four matches affects our preparation rhythm. It harms us enormously. We have to keep fighting and find the right balance. There are many competitions, the Conference, the Nations ... the schedule is very tight. We want the players to win titles with Barça . I would like the players to have Barça as their priority, and I believe they do," he stated.

This four-match break affects our preparation rhythm. It harms us enormously; there are too many matches and national team tournaments

On the other hand, Laporta, who maintained that plans to pay tribute to Messi are still in place but who does not see him playing again at Spotify Camp Nou, also spoke about the criticism that the club does not take sufficient care of its other sections: "We are proud of all of them; they make up the largest multisport club in the world and we invest everything we can. But they resulted in less salary margin. In any case, we always try to keep all sections competitive. We are happy. We devote great efforts. They have amassed 50 Champions . But most of the income comes from football and with that we pay for the sections; that is how it is."