Laporta: Barca has its own values and principles

Barcelona celebrates its 125th anniversary as a club, with a commemorative event featuring a speech by club president Joan Laporta.

Before Laporta’s speech, a video showcasing all the stadiums in FC Barcelona’s history was played, culminating with a glimpse of the completed new Spotify Camp Nou.

Here is Laporta’s address:

"Thank you, President Gamper. On behalf of all Barça fans, I thank you for laying the foundation for the greatest club in the world 125 years ago. Indeed, Barça makes dreams come true. Today, our dream is to have a new stadium that can accommodate over 100,000 people. It will be the best stadium across all five continents.

Welcome to the 125th-anniversary celebration of FC Barcelona. Today is an emotional and historic day. Barça is a unique club that transcends its own existence. When Joan Gamper and his 11 companions founded FC Barcelona, I believe they envisioned the growth and achievements we see today.

They would have seen Josep Samitier and Paulino Alcántara defending Barça during the turbulent 1930s. They surely foresaw Barça winning five trophies, filling the Les Corts neighborhood with joy. They would have seen Luis Suárez and Evaristo lighting up the Camp Nou with their goals. They would have witnessed the tough years that shaped the club. They must have seen Johan Cruyff’s Barça alongside Sotil and Sadurní, leading to the league championship 14 years later.

They would have celebrated with the likes of Migueli, Krankl, Rexach, and those who won the Cup Winners’ Cup. They would have seen the thrilling 1980s under Venables and the Dream Team led by Cruyff, reaching glory at Wembley thanks to Ronald Koeman’s iconic goal. And then came other legends like Sergi, Romário, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Kluivert, and Saviola. Later, the visionaries would have witnessed Ronaldinho’s smile and Rijkaard’s guidance, along with the legends who led us to Champions League triumph in Paris. Eto’o opened the scoring, with Deco, Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol forming a stellar team. Belletti scored the decisive goal.

Under Guardiola, we achieved the sextuple, surpassing Kubala and his peers. That legendary team featured the greatest player in football history: Messi, Barça’s most decisive player ever. Then came Neymar, Suárez, Alba, Rakitic, and more, excelling under Luis Enrique, who has sent us a heartfelt video today. Most recently, Xavi rekindled our hope, winning a league title and a Super Cup. I thank Hans Flick and all the first-team players for being here today. You’ve made Barça fans dream again, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The visionaries surely foresaw the magic of our sports teams—basketball, handball, futsal, and roller hockey—all achieving extraordinary success. They also envisioned Barça having the best women’s football team in the world, featuring two Ballon d’Or winners, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí. Let’s give them a big round of applause for taking us to the heavens. I must also acknowledge our amateur teams, which make us the world’s greatest sports club, as well as the legendary players who have built a legacy of talent.

Special applause goes to the Barça Foundation teams, composed of individuals with disabilities. You make us proud. Whether on grass or court, you’ve created unforgettable history. On behalf of FC Barcelona, I thank you deeply. At the stadium’s inauguration, Gamper spoke profoundly, and I want to extend that gratitude to the true architects of Barça’s greatness.

I also want to thank the club’s staff for their invaluable service. They deserve everything. Additionally, my heartfelt thanks go to Barça’s Board of Directors. Serving the club is both an honor and a great responsibility. Thanks to the media who have supported the club over the years.

Barça is a club of values and principles. It represents Catalonia and Barcelona. Barça’s Catalan identity remains a benchmark today. This identity is not imposed but natural, giving us strong roots and making the club a social reference. Barça’s connection with Catalonia is understood by all fans, but globally, fans have embraced this ethos too. It’s deeply moving to witness the love for Barça across Spain and worldwide. As Barça’s president, I offer my deepest respect.

Barça is more than just a collection of things; it is the emotional core of our lives. All Barça fans know that we perform better when united. This is clearly reflected in the declaration created by David Carabén (responsible for this celebration), whose father, Armand Carabén, served as Barça’s CEO from 1970 to 1975. David, your father was remarkable, and you are a source of pride for your parents. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Barça.

Barça’s values are unshakable, turning sports into a vehicle for social progress. Through our actions, we can create a better world. We are committed to giving back to society. Let us honor ‘The Flying Dutchman,’ one of the most significant figures in Barça’s history. Thank you, Johan. Today, we are Gamper’s heirs, and we hope to pass this legacy on to future generations.

Long live Barça! Long live Catalonia!"