Joan Laporta talks Messi, Lamine, Deco, La Masia ahead of FIFA World Cup final: ‘We are very proud’

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Barca Universal

17 July 2026

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the club will be at the heart of the 2026

FIFA

World Cup

final as Spain prepare to face Argentina in New York.

With eight

Barcelona

players included in Luis de la Fuente’s squad, the

Blaugrana

chief says the occasion is a reminder of the club’s influence on the biggest stage in international football.

The latest

news has centred around the club’s remarkable representation in the Spain squad, with several first-team stars expected to play key roles in Sunday’s final.

On that note, Laporta travelled to New York to support La Roja and spoke proudly about Barcelona’s contribution ahead of one of the most anticipated matches of the year.

Speaking before the Spain vs Argentina

final, Laporta stressed how significant it is for FC

to have so many players involved in the biggest match in international football.

“We are very proud of the eight players we have. It is very important for them and, as president, I am very pleased and grateful to have such talented players.

“At international level, it’s the best match you can play, with different styles, and the referee will have to take charge.

Joan Laporta is proud of Barcelona’s representation at the

. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Argentina are more aggressive, whilst the Spanish team play more as a unit, with a style of play more like Barça’s.

Barça

are the best there is, and everyone recognises that.”

With players developed in the club’s system continuing to feature prominently for the national team, Laporta sees the

final as a showcase of Barcelona’s football philosophy.

Alongside Spain’s impressive

contingent, Laporta also welcomed the fact that

Lionel Messi

will once again appear in a

final, setting up a

meeting with several current Barcelona players

Reflecting on Messi’s legacy and Lamine Yamal’s rise, Laporta said,

“Messi has also reached the final and I’m delighted. He’s the pride of La Masia. Messi represents the past and the present, whilst Lamine represents the present and the future.

“We’re very happy to have what is the genuine

way of playing.

Laporta is delighted about Messi reaching another

final. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“As president, I’m proud to have developed these two players at home, and if we add that we have Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi – who’s having a spectacular

– Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran… It’s spectacular.”

The

president also reserved special praise for sporting director Deco, highlighting his work in the transfer market and the club’s recruitment strategy.

Laporta added,

“Deco works very well – consistently, efficiently and discreetly – as he has shown with Adeyemi.

“We saw that with Gordon too. He scored (in the semi-final against Argentina) from a well-timed run.

“He’s very quick, hard-working and presses well, and we’re happy with Deco’s work.

“Plan Bs? They’re alternatives. The director of football never stops, and there are various options; he must choose the most suitable one,”

he concluded.

Source:

Mundo Deportivo

20 years on from Messi and Yamal’s photo: bath to World Cup final

Radio Gol

The remarkable photos of Lionel Messi and baby Lamine Yamal as pair prepare to clash in World Cup final

The Independent

World Cup alters Ballon d’Or landscape ahead of Yamal’s career-defining clash against childhood idol

Football Today

📸The origin of an iconic photo: when Messi cradled Lamine Yamal

OneFootball

Barcelona star sits out training ahead of World Cup final

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