Laporta criticises Real Madrid as Barcelona face Mbappe injury questions

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has criticised Real Madrid over the Negreira case and accused the club of repeatedly attacking Barcelona in public.

Laporta was speaking at the 33rd meeting of the European Football Clubs (EFC), formerly known as the European Club Association (ECA), in Copenhagen, Denmark. Barcelona attended as a full member for the first time since leaving the organisation during its attempt to establish a European Super League.

Real Madrid were absent from the meeting, but Laporta used an interview with Mundo Deportivo to address the legal dispute between the clubs. Barcelona have sued Real Madrid president Florentino Perez following his accusations that the Catalan club had “stolen” seven La Liga titles. The two parties are due to attend a conciliation hearing in Madrid on 25 November.

“We appreciate the warm welcome Barcelona received on its return to the European clubs,” Laporta said. “We are also grateful for the invitation to play an important role in the organisation, and personally thankful to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who was central to Barcelona’s return.”

He added: “Alongside the intense competition on the pitch, we share a common objective: working together to improve competitions, strengthen the financial position of our clubs, create opportunities for young talent and, of course, protect our players.”

Laporta also discussed the international break and injuries affecting several players. Eric Garcia appears to have suffered a minor injury, while Raphinha was forced to leave Brazil’s match after feeling discomfort.

“The same thing happened to Real Madrid with Mbappe,” he said. “I do not know exactly how serious the injury is, and we hope it is not serious.”

Asked about suggestions that Kylian Mbappe had avoided France matches by claiming to be injured so he could return to Real Madrid, Laporta said he had no further information beyond media reports.

“We want our players to play an active role for their clubs and be fully ready to play for us,” he said. “We know they have to join their national teams; that is an obligation and we respect it. But we train them and prepare them to play for our clubs.”

Laporta said he had repaired his relationship with Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin despite the summer disagreement involving Julian Alvarez.

“He is an excellent, friendly person,” Laporta said. “I think we have overcome our differences. I am very happy because he is someone I care about greatly.”

On Real Madrid, he added: “What we cannot accept is a distortion of the truth and attacks on Barcelona whenever they speak publicly. Our legal department responds to these positions.”

He said Real Madrid had appeared in the Negreira case in what Barcelona understood to be an attempt to prolong it and justify the output of their television channel and a pre-existing narrative. “The relationship between us is non-existent,” he said.

Laporta also said he and Al-Khelaifi believed they currently had the best two teams in Europe, ahead of Barcelona’s game against Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. He hopes to meet Al-Khelaifi in Paris before the match.

On the Ballon d’Or, Laporta said he hoped a Barcelona player would win, particularly Lamine Yamal, whose winner will be announced on the 26th of next month.

The women’s Clasico takes place at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday. Laporta said Barcelona’s rebuilt side remained capable of winning and playing at a very high level.