Barcelona president Joan Laporta hosted the membership’s Christmas dinner on Thursday night time, an occasion that noticed over 500 staff in attendance.
Amongst them had been your complete first-team squad and members of the ladies’s soccer workforce, all gathered to have fun the festive season.
Throughout the occasion, Laporta took this chance to boost a toast to the membership’s future successes as they appeared forward to 2025, inviting the coaches and captains of each the lads’s and girls’s groups to affix him on stage for the toast.
Appreciation for Flick
The night noticed Laporta surrounded by key figures, together with sporting director Deco, first-team supervisor Hansi Flick, and captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Flick, who remains to be comparatively new to the membership, took centre stage alongside Laporta and was a key determine of the night time’s celebrations.
Joan Laporta praised Hansi Flick. (Photograph by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)
Laporta took a second throughout his speech to spotlight Flick’s optimistic impression, expressing that underneath his management, enthusiasm had returned to the membership.
“With Flick, the keenness has returned to Barcelona; we really feel able to competing for every little thing once more,” mentioned the president (quoted by AS).
A jibe at Xavi?
Laporta’s remarks included a direct point out of how the environment had shifted with Flick on the helm, and a few attendees couldn’t assist however really feel that there was an underlying message in regards to the earlier coach, Xavi.
It appeared that Laporta’s phrases weren’t solely meant to reward Flick but in addition to indicate that the vitality across the workforce had faltered underneath Xavi’s administration.
In the meantime, along with the first-team stars, some of the talked-about attendees was Lamine Yamal, the younger sensation who continues to make waves in soccer.
Regardless of affected by a proper ankle damage, Yamal made positive to attend the dinner. Although his mobility was considerably restricted, the proficient ahead remained in excessive spirits and was desirous to reassure these round him that he can be again on the pitch quickly.