FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has once again stepped forward to strongly support Lamine Yamal, the club’s most exciting rising star, who has recently been at the center of extensive media attention. With a protective and confident message, the Catalan president made it clear that the club will not allow outside pressure to negatively impact such a young and vital player.

“We Must Protect Him, He’s a Genius”

Before the official reception hosted by the mayor of Bruges, Laporta spoke to the media with a more emotional tone than usual. He praised the enormous potential of the new No. 10:

“Lamine is a genius and a fantastic kid. At Barça, we are very fortunate to produce this kind of talent. We must look after him and protect him,” he stated.

The president also highlighted the maturity the winger has shown while dealing with sudden global attention: “Despite all the fame falling on him overnight, he is handling everything with complete naturalness. He is a key player for us, and we will always be by his side.”

Laporta additionally praised Gavi, who continues to fight through his recovery process: “His commitment and effort are remarkable.”

The president’s comments not only serve to shield his young star but also act as a veiled response to recent criticism sparked from Madrid, reinforcing the club’s stance that their priority is the emotional and sporting well-being of their brightest talents.

Excitement Builds for the Return to Spotify Camp Nou

Alongside his defense of the squad, Laporta expressed excitement about the imminent return to the revamped Spotify Camp Nou. The open-door training session scheduled for Friday has already sold out the 23,000 seats, showcasing the desire of the fans to reconnect with their home stadium.

“It will be a very important test to ensure everything works perfectly. If all goes well, we expect to return to official competition either on November 22 against Athletic Club or on November 29 versus Alavés,” Laporta explained.

The Barcelona delegation, led by Laporta and vice president Rafa Yuste, also attended an institutional event in Bruges where they received a commemorative plaque from mayor Dirk De fauw, surrounded by more than 1,300 traveling culés generating a vibrant atmosphere.