La Liga giant FC Barcelona held the final regular members’ assembly during Joan Laporta’s term as president via a remote format today. After the assembly began, Barça president Joan Laporta spoke first, covering several topics and updates.
President’s Address
Dear Barça members, thank you for being here. Honorable councilors, presidents, Chairman of the Economic Committee, ombudsmen... welcome to this more inclusive and sustainable assembly model.
I am proud to announce that we are bringing Barça back to where it rightfully belongs. You trusted us to revitalize the economy, restore our reputation, and advance the construction of Spotify Camp Nou—this is what we have been doing in the past, and what we will continue to do if we gain your trust in the future.
Compared to four years ago, the club has made significant progress. While some things can still be improved, the fact remains that the current situation is far better than before. If someone refuses to acknowledge this... as the saying goes, "He who refuses to see is blinder than the blind."
Acknowledgment to the Team
We have made many bold decisions and accumulated experience through practice. Defending Barça means fighting against all obstacles. We are more determined than ever to complete the club’s comprehensive revival. Here, I specifically recognize the value of the management team, executive team, and all staff— the club has been saved, and we are on the right path.
The Team: Present and Future
Athletically, this season will go down in history, as it marks the club’s 125th anniversary. Barça always achieves glory when it integrates will and responsibility into its destiny. That declaration was like a prophecy, and we finally won the treble (men’s team) last season. We won with our unique style, rekindling joy in the Blaugrana faith.
Thank you to Hansi Flick, Deco, the physiotherapists, and the medical team (with special remembrance of Carles Minarro)—and most importantly, thank you to the players. We have a squad capable of achieving all our goals. This is a team for the present and the future, as evidenced by Barça winning the Kopa Trophy four times in the last five editions—with Pedri, Gavi, and Lamine Yamal claiming the award in turn.
Women’s Team Glory
What brilliance would women’s football lose without Barça? We have become an industry benchmark, and we should rightfully be proud of Aitana Bonmatí’s Ballon d’Or (and Alexia Putellas’ too). We are also delighted that Vicky López won the Kopa Trophy (Best U21 Player) and that top scorer Salma Paralluelo (we wish her a speedy recovery).
We are proud of winning the Genuine League title, and proud of the youth team coached by Juliano Belletti winning the Youth Champions League— the future is promising. The achievements of the handball and hockey teams are reassuring; although the basketball and futsal teams did not meet their expected goals, the essence of our multi-sport club has been preserved.
Our club crest belongs to all members, to each of you. We have taken measures to avoid members having to pay out of their own pockets, and we are pleased to uphold this principle. Improved operational efficiency has yielded positive results: we generated €994 million in revenue—this figure is even more valuable in the second season of playing at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Exciting matches and excellent results have received a positive market response, with ticket revenue exceeding the budget by €39 million.
In terms of sponsorships, merchandising revenue reached €170 million, thanks to our internationalization strategy (covering 170 countries). In the new contract with Nike, we have regained e-commerce ownership. Barça’s official YouTube channel is now the most subscribed platform among global sports organizations. These record-breaking data serve as a barometer of the club’s economic and institutional health.
Salary Structure
A special note must be made: the total players’ salary accounts for 54% of regular revenue, which meets UEFA standards and is two percentage points lower than last season—this is attributed to the outstanding work of Deco’s team. It is particularly valuable to build a sustainable salary structure while maintaining competitiveness (when we took over, the salary ratio was as high as 98%).
Deco’s team has implemented a policy of reducing investment in signings, as they know well that La Masia is the foundation—here, congratulations to José Ramón Alexanco. We have restructured the deficits of various departments, cut debt by €90 million while maintaining competitiveness, and are steadily moving towards financial consolidation.
Special Revenue and Expenses
Regular revenue has effectively offset the €17 million loss caused by special projects. We have demonstrated creativity; for example, the VIP seating project has generated €70 million in revenue. It is expected that with the return to Spotify Camp Nou, total revenue will reach €1.075 billion. This positive trend will see next year’s revenue increase by nearly €200 million compared to this year.
Spotify Partnership
We have extended the Spotify partnership until 2030 and the stadium naming rights agreement until 2034. This is based on a shared vision: creating a unique global fan experience through the integration of music and football.
Barça Space Project
We have made every effort to secure the municipal government’s approval for the return to the stadium. On Friday, we obtained the initial occupancy permit. On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank all participants, including the mayor and his team (I know they have always paid attention to this project), as well as the municipal technical staff who abided by the regulations. Thank you to the fire department for their guidance, and of course, to all colleagues in the Barça Space Project Department led by Joan Senties—please give them a round of applause.
Final Declaration
When we took over four years ago, the club was on the brink of bankruptcy, and some groups were happy to see this happen so they could take control of Barça. We are deeply relieved that we have successfully defended the club’s independence. Now, the first team has reignited passion and love for the club. This multi-sport club, which has won 48 European trophies, is building the Spotify Camp Nou, which will become the best stadium in Europe. But most importantly, it will always belong to all members.
For years, some people have advocated for the club’s corporatization... We have always been committed to safeguarding members’ ownership. Only we are the guardians of "Barça belongs to its members." Those "amateur experts" who dictate how the club should be run as if it were a business—please keep your distance from us. Barça is not just a business; it is an institution rooted in Catalonia and with global influence, whose foundation is dedicated to education and health projects. It is an institution that requires professional management, but it must never be fully corporatized—because social responsibility and sportsmanship can never be regulated by business school textbooks.
We are an institution loyal to Catalan culture... and that is why we are "more than a club." To be a Barça person is to defend it with pride and passion from those who seek to control it, and to hold fast to our beliefs until the end. I urge everyone to unite and defend our club crest together.
