Laporta takes aim at Real Madrid over Rayo Vallecano case: "Some get land rezoned while others are banned from their stadium"

Joan Laporta took a direct shot at Real Madrid on Thursday while discussing Rayo Vallecano's return to their home stadium. The Barcelona president, speaking after a dinner with agent Jorge Mendes, sporting director Deco and Alejandro Echevarría, welcomed the court ruling that allows the Madrid-based side to play in Vallecas again and used the moment to criticize what he sees as unequal treatment regarding land deals.

• Laporta celebrates Rayo Vallecano's return to Vallecas and criticizes Real Madrid over land rezoning.
• The Barcelona president backs Lamine Yamal for the Ballon d'Or and defends his recent statements.
• He responds to Rodri about Barcelona's campaign: "We go for all Barcelona players, but Lamine has truly earned his merits with Barça."
• He remains confident UEFA will choose the Spotify Camp Nou for the 2029 Champions League final.

Laporta's dig at Real Madrid over land rezoning

The Barça chief was unusually combative when discussing the Spanish capital. "I am very happy for president Raúl Martín Presa that Rayo Vallecano have been granted the precautionary measure to play in Vallecas. They deserve it. It was inconceivable that some get land rezoned while others were banned from playing in their own stadium, even though all their permits were in order," Laporta told reporters.

Although he did not name Real Madrid explicitly, the insinuation was hard to miss: Florentino Pérez's club has faced scrutiny in recent years over the urban planning operation linked to the Santiago Bernabéu renovation and the use of public land.

Lamine Yamal and the race for the Ballon d'Or

The conversation soon shifted to the Ballon d'Or when Lamine Yamal's name came up. The young Barcelona forward had previously stated he believed he deserved the award, and Laporta was quick to endorse that confidence. "He said what he had to say," the president stated.

"I am delighted that Lamine Yamal would win the Ballon d'Or and I think he deserves it... Do I think it is fine for him to say he deserves the Ballon d'Or? Absolutely, because others are doing the same for themselves. The world has changed a little, and these youngsters are very carefree. Lamine said it in a tone... in the right way," he stressed.

The nudge at Mbappé and the rise of fearless young players

Laporta made no secret that his comments also aimed at Kylian Mbappé, who recently said he would vote for himself for the Ballon d'Or. The Barcelona president framed that attitude within a broader generational shift.

You have to understand that they are young, uninhibited players. That is why they succeed so quickly. Lamine has talent and he is a reference player.

For the Catalan executive, the carefree mindset shared by players like Mbappé and Lamine Yamal is not arrogance but a key driver of their rapid rise to the top. Rather than seeing it as bravado, he reads it as a sign of competitive maturity.

Laporta's response to Rodri and Barcelona's campaign

Ballon d'Or holder Rodri had pointed out that Barcelona was publicly positioning itself to boost Lamine Yamal's candidacy. Laporta did not shy away from the subject and clarified the club's official stance.

"We go for all Barcelona players, but Lamine Yamal has truly earned his merits with Barça," he explained. The president distinguished between backing the whole squad and recognizing the specific weight of the winger in the team's achievements at both club and international level.

He also had words of respect for the Manchester City midfielder: "Rodri is a very sensible and mature man. He is a leader. And that he holds this position regarding the award says a lot about him," he said.

Barcelona's hopes for the Spotify Camp Nou and the 2029 Champions League final

Laporta also used the exchange with journalists to address the prospect of the Spotify Camp Nou hosting the 2029 Champions League final. The president is confident UEFA will select the renovated stadium as the venue, a milestone that would cap one of the club's most ambitious projects in its history.

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