Laporta told me, and I quote, that if Leo came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn't allow it. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he'd been told on the other end that it couldn't be done.
The president began negotiating the contract with Leo's father, and we had the green light from La Liga, but it was the president who threw it all away. Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back, he would wage war on him and that he couldn't allow that to happen.
Frenkie de Jong will be out for approximately six weeks. Sometimes I think it might be good for someone to be out for six weeks so that they get less tired. Even so, we have to wait for him to regain his fitness once he returns.
Leo was signed. In January 2023, after winning the World Cup, we got in touch, and he told me he was excited about coming back, and I saw it. We talked until March, and I told him, 'Okay, when you give me the OK, I'll tell the president because I see it as a good move from a footballing perspective.'
The problem has never been economic. We could sign a player for 80 million and amortize him with a six-year contract. The problem was the salary space, once it is solved, Barça can sign anyone, but with consistency. We have to maintain the balance we have achieved, salary and sporting.
He doesn't have confidence, but we have to help him. It's important that he tries everything. Flick emphasized the need for collective support, recognizing that Torres requires encouragement from the coaching staff and teammates to overcome his current psychological hurdle and regain the form that made him a standout performer earlier in the season.
I really appreciate them for what I see. I wasn't nervous today. I saw them after it the 3-0 and I had confidence in them. That's what we're aiming for: this great atmosphere and focusing on daily training.
The LALIGA Retro Day was born as a tangible expression of a vibrant legacy, transforming the history of the clubs into an emotional experience that is celebrated and even worn on the pitch. Historic jerseys, reinterpreted for the current competition, act as a bridge between generations, connecting the origins of the fans with how football is experienced today.
The good thing is that I'm not under any pressure. When you're 30 or younger, it's a different feeling and you ask yourself every day, 'Where am I going to play?' But right now, I don't need to know. I'm patient and I know how to wait for the right moment.
At 30 or a few years [younger], this kind of feeling is going to be different. 'I want to see where I'm going to play'. But in this moment, I don't have to know. I have patience. I'll give myself around three months to decide what I want to do. Me, just me.
We played a spectacular game. We came close to reaching the Cup final, but I think both the team and the fans have confidence in our style of play. I think this will also give us more strength for what is to come.
When I see Xavi play, I really like his confidence with the ball; he reminds me of Lahm, who can play as a defensive midfielder or a right-back. I like watching him with and without the ball. [He and Álvaro Cortés] have already trained with us. I'm looking forward to seeing them play.
