Joan Laporta defends Barcelona winger amid media controversy, Calls out manipulative questions | OneFootball

The recent triumph of FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup has been a testament to the team’s stellar performances on the pitch. After convincingly defeating Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final and arch-rivals Real Madrid in the final, the Catalan giants have temporarily silenced some of the off-field noise surrounding the club.

One of the key issues making headlines recently has been centered around the registration saga and the controversial statement of Brazilian winger, Raphinha. After weeks of speculation, Laporta broke his silence yesterday with a fiery press conference, addressing a range of topics, including the controversy sparked by Raphinha’s remarks about the club.

The Controversy

Raphinha’s comments about Barcelona, specifically regarding the Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor registration situation, were interpreted by some media outlets as a critique of the club. The Brazilian had said:

“If I were at another club and saw the situation, I would think twice about whether coming here is the best option.”

This statement ignited a storm of speculation, with critics questioning the player’s loyalty and commitment to Barcelona. However, Laporta was quick to come to Raphinha’s defense, accusing the media of manipulating the narrative.

Laporta Sets the Record Straight

Speaking to the press, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, Laporta was unapologetically direct in his criticism of the media, stating:

“It’s not true that he criticized the club. You tricked him with these loaded questions, and you set him up. The player himself was feeling down at the time. He was saying that he wanted to contribute to Barça’s greatness.”

Laporta further elaborated:

“The captain spoke up, and he’s an excellent person who said that Barça is the best club he could be at. Later, he added, ‘and if I were elsewhere…’ And yes, people from outside have also called me.”

The president concluded by lambasting the ongoing negative portrayal of the club:

“This is yet another example of the false narrative created about the club, predicting an apocalypse from certain environments where some of you are, but it’s not taking root.”

Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Raphinha’s Season of Redemption

Amidst the controversy, Raphinha has proven his mettle on the pitch. As one of Barcelona’s captains this season, he has emerged as a true leader, consistently delivering world-class performances.

His numbers have been nothing short of extraordinary, drawing comparisons with the likes of Mohamed Salah as one of the best players in the world right now.

Raphinha’s commitment to Barcelona remains unquestionable, considering the sacrifices he made to join the club. His relentless work ethic and determination have been evident in every game, where he plays like a man on a mission.

Looking Ahead

While the media frenzy surrounding Raphinha may linger, it’s clear that the player has learned a valuable lesson about navigating press conferences. For now, it’s time to move on from off-field distractions and focus on what truly matters—the beautiful game itself.