Barcelona Football Club’s president, Joan Laporta, has openly shared his thoughts on the upcoming UEFA Champions League (UCL) 2025 season, specifically revealing the opponent he would love FC Barcelona to face. In a recent interview, Laporta expressed his desire for Barcelona to be drawn against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) — the reigning UEFA Champions League champions from last season. He strongly believes that such a matchup would not only be thrilling for the fans of both clubs but would also serve as a highlight for global football enthusiasts. “It would bring immense joy to football fans worldwide to witness Barcelona face off with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League,” Laporta said during an interview with CNN. He went on to explain that in his opinion — and likely in the minds of many fans — Barcelona and PSG stood out as the two most outstanding teams in European football last season. According to Laporta, their performances and form throughout the competition demonstrated dominance and class, which made them the most competitive football clubs in Europe during the 2024 campaign. “Paris Saint-Germain had an excellent season,” Laporta acknowledged, commending the French club’s dominant run to the trophy. The Barcelona chief was clearly disappointed that his club didn’t have the chance to meet PSG in last season’s final. Instead, Barcelona fell to Inter Milan in the semi-finals, ending their hopes of a potential showdown with PSG. “I think PSG and Barcelona were the two most competitive and well-prepared teams in European football last season,” he remarked, reflecting on how close the dream clash came to reality. Laporta added that he hopes for a meeting between Barça and PSG at any stage of the next Champions League season, particularly under UEFA’s new UCL format, which aims to increase the number of high-profile matches among elite clubs in the group stages and knockouts. “I really wish we meet under the new Champions League structure being introduced by UEFA,” Laporta added with hope. Despite Barcelona’s strong form throughout the last campaign, their semi-final defeat to Inter Milan halted their progress. However, Inter themselves couldn’t maintain their momentum and suffered a comprehensive defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the final, further cementing PSG’s status as Europe’s top force. Laporta’s comments come as Barcelona prepares for the new season under high expectations, especially following strong transfer window moves and managerial confidence in the current squad. The president’s statement fuels speculation about a potential Barcelona vs PSG showdown — a match-up that could define the elite tier of European club football.
Former Barcelona icon Rivaldo has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the recent controversy tied to the birthday party of Lamine Yamal, the club’s highly promising young footballer. Rivaldo shared his thoughts on the growing backlash over Yamal’s reported lavish 18th birthday celebration, which included hiring individuals with dwarfism as part of the event’s entertainment—an action that has sparked significant criticism across Spain and beyond. According to BBC News, a formal complaint was lodged by The Association of People with Achondroplasia and other Skeletal Dysplasias in Spain against the teenage football star. The association viewed the act as inappropriate and demeaning, further intensifying the public scrutiny surrounding the event. Amid widespread condemnation, Rivaldo—one of the most respected figures in Barcelona’s history—called for calm and encouraged Yamal to remain focused on his football career. Speaking in an interview published by Barça Universal, the retired Brazilian forward expressed that these types of rumors are not only disheartening but also a distraction for such a young athlete. “Hopefully, there won’t be more rumors like this because it’s upsetting, and honestly, very sad,” Rivaldo stated. He emphasized his desire to see Yamal concentrate on his performance, reminding him of how far he has come at such a young age. Rivaldo advised the teenager to reflect on his remarkable journey and the success he’s already achieved, urging him to be cautious moving forward to avoid similar controversies. Despite the backlash, Yamal continues to be one of the most talked-about young talents in football. At just 16 years old, he was instrumental in helping FC Barcelona secure a domestic treble and has become a core player for both the Spanish national team and his club. With many already projecting him as a top contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the focus now shifts to how he navigates this period and responds through his performance on the pitch.
