The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has warned Jose Mourinho for not overstepping the mark after his criticism of the umpires afterwards of Real Madrid Controversial defeat at Real Betis on Friday night.
Although the referees were later proven correct, this did not stop Mourinho from going on a tirade implying that Madrid were being victimized and that other clubs, notably Barcelona – They received preferential treatment.
Laporta, speaking before the traditional managers’ lunch that preceded tonight’s Champions League match with Feyenoord, was asked about Mourinho’s complaints and said: “What we are very excited about is Barça. What the other teams do (depends on them), as long as they don’t cross the line of respect and the institutional harmony that needs to be maintained.
“The rest of the teams do what they consider appropriate. We respect it as long as it is not obviously transgressing what is normal in relations between clubs.”
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position 1, 2, 3, 4: Champions League stage
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position 5: League phase Europa League
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position 6: Playoffs of the ECL
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position 18, 19, 20: Descent
Barcelona target Champions League – Laporta
Barça have had the edge over Madrid in recent years, winning the last two La Liga crowns, while Madrid have had back-to-back seasons without trophies.
Laporta said there would be no relaxation and admitted the Champions League, a trophy they have not won since 2015, was a priority.
He added: “Our aim is to win our third league trophy in a row, which would be extraordinary. We aim to remain the king of the cups, which would also be very good. We aim to win the Super Cup in the middle of the season. And, of course, this year we want to win the Champions League. If you say the big goal, yes, I would say yes (it’s the Champions League).
Barcelona star Yamal is ‘spectacular’, says Laporta
It has been a good week for Barça with three players named the 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, including new signing Rodri.
Pau Cubarsi is an outsider, but Lamine Yamal is one of the main candidates to claim the award after a stellar year for Barcelona and Spain.
“Barça is a unique club and the proof of that is in these nominations. We are very proud,” said Laporta. The players we have must be grateful to Barcelona Futbol Club for what it gives them. I will be immensely happy if a Barça player wins.”
About Yamal, he added: “He is spectacular. He has exceptional quality, he is a genius and I think his Ballon d’Or nomination is more than deserved. He has a maturity for his age, (that is) fantastic. It hurts me when you talk about the nominations that neither Pedri nor Raphinha are nominated. I think that for their quality they also deserve a case.”
