‘There is a lot of respect’ – Barcelona’s Joan Laporta on his ‘friendship’ with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi
The relationship between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona hasn’t always been a good one. The latter were famously part of the European Super League project that the former opposed. Even more recently, Barcelona were left frustrated by Dro Fernandez’s decision to leave the Catalan club and join PSG. The agreement reached between the two clubs did, however, ease any tensions between the two clubs. Joan Laporta’s frustration was ultimately directed towards the player and his entourage.
PSG have previously also made attempts to sign Lamine Yamal, whilst Ferran Torres made the move from Catalunya to the French capital over the summer. Speaking to L’Équipe, Barcelona’s president, Laporta, has now addressed his relationship with his opposite number at the Parc des Princes ahead of Tuesday night’s meeting between the two clubs.
“It is very good (the relationship). With Nasser, I think that I can say that our relationship is one of friendship. There is a lot of respect,” began Laporta. “He manages the EFC (European Football Clubs, formerly ECA, an organisation that Al-Khelaifi heads) sensationally, PSG, too. I congratulate him. Today, PSG are European champions, and this match coming up between our two teams will confirm to us that we are the two referential clubs in the world and that, as far as we’re concerned, this match will give us an indication of our real level.”