Laporta: Messi Is A Global Star

Speaking to the official FC Barcelona website, the president moved to praise some of the players who have already made names for themselves at Camp Nou.

He said, "Talented players? We have lots. Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Henry ... they are players at the highest media level and all top class players... and we have a player who is global reference, Messi."

But it was the new signings that really caught his eye. Reflecting on the arrivals of Seydou Keita, Gerard Piqué and Martín Cáceres, he added, "Things are working out as we expected. The signings are reinforcements of the configuration of the squad."

Comparing the new arrivals to those of 2004, he said, "When we bought players, that gave good results.

"We are building a team... when we build a team we get good results.

"I am very excited and in a positive mood and I just can’t wait for the season to begin."

High On Confidence

The president's easy-going optimism belies some deeper problems - not least an impending vote of no confidence.

A group of supporters arranged a petition to put Laporta and his board's future to the ballot box, and all will be revealed after the vote takes place on July 6th.

"It has to be a process that respects democracy, which is one of this club’s most treasured values," said Laporta.

"On the 6th the Board of Directors’ work will be censured or not. Our consciences are clean after the work we have done, and if the members want us to, we can do even better than we have."


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