Ahead of Barcelona’s encounter with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, Joan Laporta has spoken to L’Équipe. He notably spoke about the Catalan club’s star player and Ballon d’Or candidate Lamine Yamal (19), who has previously been linked with a move to the European champions.
At the age of just 19, Yamal is already a European and world champion with La Roja. He has also won La Liga with Barcelona, although the Champions League trophy is one that he has yet to add to his cabinet. There was a chance that he could have done so with PSG, who are now two-time European champions thanks to back-to-back triumphs in the competition.
Barcelona confirm PSG’s Yamal approach
Speaking in May 2025, sporting director Deco revealed that PSG had shown an interest in the forward. Les Parisiens have previously denied having made an approach.
In any case, Barcelona are clear that Yamal is not for sale and they don’t fear losing their academy product. “We are confident in our strengths. Barcelona pays its players well. That has always been the case. It is a question of feeling at ease at the club. Far away from Barcelona, it is cold. We are good here,” Laporta told L’Équipe.
On the World Cup winner, Laporta added, “He has this spectacular dimension. He is a player who knows how to make the supporters enjoy themselves. Lamine is a genius! He has this magic within him, this spectacular character. He has his way of playing but also his mentality. Lamine is entertainment! You can’t think about football without thinking about Lamine.”
GFFN | Luke Entwistle