Asked who will be the next president of FC Barcelona, Laporta said: “If I could decide myself, it would be Guardiola”. Then as a coach, Laporta would prefer “Xavi, a phenomenon. A magnificent boy.”
Laporta said that without Johan Cruyff never would have been successful at FC Barcelona. “When he came to play at us was a child. Was the season 73/74′s. When we all had short hair, he had long hair. A wonderful wife, Dani. Fly on the field. It was the first that taken money from ads. I could do anything, was Messi of that peirod, or better: Messi is Cruyff from today… Then in the 90′s came as a coach. Generous, brave, charismatic. Four simple rules: to get the ball, up to two touch, speed, pressure on the opponent. A simple way to play. Cruyff showed that this was all to win, get to do. And you should have fun doing it. I remember that on Wembley, in the final of Cup Winners with Sampdoria, told to the players at the exit from the locker room only this: “Go and have fun.” And so did the boys. When he play, Messi seems that is in the schoolyard.”said Laporta.
Joan Laporta believes that Barcelona is a great team now that Messi, Xavi, Puyol, Iniesta and Busquets rose together: “They are humble people who do not treats the life superficially, that are good friends who help eachother, are generous and solidarity”. The former president was not afraid any time when, in 2008, chose Josep Guardiola to lead FC Barcelona. “Guardiola was perfect, have Barca in the soul. Was our story: a boy from the province, rose to new high worker. Johann Cruyff sent into the field saying Pep plays today and ten others”.
Laporta believes that Guardiola would not accept an offer from millionaire to leave FC Barcelona: “As far as I know him, I would say that he would not accept, but who knows, things can change. I remember when to Messi was offered a formidable salary, I went to Jorge, his father, and I said that money I can not give him, but it remains to be glorious. Messi was already big”.
