Joan Laporta on Lionel Messi in MLS, Kylian Mbappe, Saudi Pro League & more | ESPN FC

Barcelona president Joan Laporta joins Dan Thomas on ESPN FC to talk about being in the United States for the Soccer Champions Tour, Lionel Messi in the MLS with Inter Miami, Kylian Mbappe, Ilkay Gundogan, the European Super League, the Saudi Pro League's impact on football and more.
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[@Lioness_UTV]

I have to say as a brit i see a lot of sports interviews and being a good interviewer isn't easy but Dan makes it look easy by being friendly, knowledgeable while not shying away from tough questions. I think this helps people he interviews to feel relaxed and open to questions whether they be tough, emotional or teasing jokes ...more interviews like this please.

[@ajworks5958]

He is good. I mean he carries this channel.. there is no other presenter right ..what happens if he is ill 😂?

[@apex8373]

​@@ajworks5958I like kay too she's really funny

[@bronzy9826]

​@@ajworks5958Kay is good and honestly I don't hold anything against Seb

[@Fractalchemystical]

Pffft. Have you not seen his terrible and embarrassing interview with Pelé????

[@jacobsambo8775]

Dan and Kay.. they own this channel!

[@messii648]

So strange to see Laporta there

[@dharmawiguna3232]

So strange to see Laporta speaking english

[@lexkanyima2195]

​@@dharmawiguna3232why ?

[@justthetwoofus.]

Same ig I’m not used to la Liga tv rights for espn yet

[@myp0h]

Espn have rights to La Liga therefore these appearances must be on there contract.

[@jonavegoramirez287]

@@dharmawiguna3232not at all lol

[@njanis88]

As a Barca fan, thank God for Laporta. A great President and passionate culer, you can tell he bleeds red and blue!

[@gabrielvillegas5508]

He’s a crook and a criminal. He didn’t want to pay Messi and Messi made Barcelona rich. Because of this Messi decided to leave and destroy the cule team. Jajajhaa you’re so broke now. Crime doesn’t pay La Porta. Remember de name. Lionel Messi is the king and Barcelona is too small compare to Messi brand 😂😂😂❤❤❤

[@osamaqtaitat]

Thank dog

[@rogermilla2358]

This guy has one of the toughest jobs in the world cleaning up Bartomeu and Rosell's mess, but he's saved Barcelona from the brink of bankruptcy and total disaster before, and made it a top team in his first term; by the end of this term he'll likely pull it off again.

[@lexkanyima2195]

But he force Messi to leave

[@iamD4]

@@lexkanyima2195 he doesn't have any other choice. Laporta had to choose btw Messi and Barcelona & he choose barça. I don't blame him. And Messi too understand that. Messi only concern that board lied to him for register knowingly it's impossible and forced him to stay for some more time. Or else Messi would have been playing for man City instead of PSG and miami.

[@fcukrealmadrid]

How? he is worse than Josep Maria Bartomeu

[@shonix123]

Laporta mistreated messi and also sells smoke

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@iamD4 why he has to play for Man City ? So cliche

[@e-maestro]

It is amazing that one club contributed soo much to football that it changed the game litereally. They produced one of the best coaches's in the world with Pep, the GREATEST player in the world in Lionel Messi, they changed the landscape of the game under Johan Cruyff, played one of the most beautiful forms of possession football with Tiki Taka, produced Multiple World Cup Winners, One of the greatest midfield trio in Xavi, Iniesta and Busquests, even in their current financial state were still able to find world class talent in La Masia.

[@techmania5957]

True In terms of impact on the footballing world barca is right on the top and overall surely the top 3

[@ongbakvamoooo598]

Dont forget ronaldinho

[@emojiman5741]

Facts!

[@Heisenberggg420]

Well said my friend !

[@leataripledajaug]

Thank you !!!!

[@cuzzicfc]

It's great to see Messi in the MLS 🔥 living life

[@ricopo3522]

Was once very strange Messi not being at Barcelona but- its not news- he hasn't been with Barcelona for a minute now. Laporta got exactly what he wanted this offseason- appearing as though he tried to bring Messi back, but it not happening in the end.

[@danyhocine]

Do you even know what happened ? People need to stop assuming this guy is bad because Messi left while he was president. He literally decided on his own not to come back to Barcelona because of all the uncertainties. The financial fair play in Spain is so tight they can barely afford new players now.

[@danieleoduro3829]

​@@danyhocineyou are right, what I didn't like is the whole saga, is how they made us fans believe they were bringing Messi back with all the "viability plans" approved by la Liga of how are ABLE to sign Messi and other players too. But we all know Messi was in talks with Miami almost 2 years if not more. Furthermore, the absence of Busi, Alba and Messi himself didn't free any financial space apparently!!! We are still struggling to register players...they knew all this while that Messi's return wasn't feasible. Messi also knew. So why do you make mockery of us fans??? So that it appears like they tried to bring him in!!!!

[@no1bot_in_Dt]

This is my president ❤❤

[@TheCelticsAREboss]

pretty sure he did try to bring messi back. messi just didn't want to wait, which is the correct decision because it was unlikely that barca could bring him back

[@danieleoduro3829]

@@TheCelticsAREboss there is no evidence of Barca's capability to bring Messi back, none!! Bro we just spent some few penny on the transfer market and we are not even able to register some of our players, Ter Stergen and Frenkie are being asked to reduce their wages, Victor f***ing Roque is coming in January bcos we can't register him, and we thought we they could bring Messi back and still sign players to strengthen the squad... All the lies of Messi's return was to let us fans believe they tried everything in their power to bring him back...but it was never the case, Messi's departure to Miami was decided a long time ago...listen to Beckham's interview..

[@watsoncrick3210]

Very good command in English. It's better than some English players 😂

[@user-kq2rz1hy8o]

Harry Kane

[@chadtyrone5]

Harry Kane

[@Manpro107]

Harry Kane

[@emojiman5741]

I agree 💯

[@jonavegoramirez287]

“We can’t afford him(mbappe)” you heard it from the president of Barcelona not some sports news paper that only wants attention because in Paris they don’t get as much.

[@sdtvlewis7723]

We can't too many games between Barca vs Madrid. They can play every week if it was possible and we'll never get tired of it.

[@hao2000ki]

Ehh maybe for one season lol. At some point, every week is gonna get tiring.

[@abdullaalmarri]

Dan the man, love his interviews, keep them coming 👍🏼

[@ShantinooO]

Really not that interesting line of questioning, so many other things that are more pressing and important, so he blew the few chance english speaking fans had to here him speak bout it

[@aeroxyz5626]

Not being able to bring Messi back to Barcelona is Laporta's nightmare Messi the GOAT 🐐

[@gullygodd23]

He literally gave away the surprise. He confirmed Luis Suarez to Miami without realising 😅

[@barcahebo.3637]

I was thinking the same 😂😂👍

[@kojokojo7523]

We love our president ❤ The studio is super nice 🤠

[@Easy_EZ]

So from my understanding, it seems like he wants the superleague proposal to be accepted, not to take away the domestic leagues, but to have some ammunition against UEFA when discussing improvements for champions league, since right now uefa is pocketing most of the profits, leaving the clubs with very little.

[@pablodiazrueda9630]

That seems fair.

[@unnamedshadow1866]

The plan was to create a Separate League. But FIFA and UEFA told them they would sue them. Florentino's alternative is now for the Super League to replace the Champions League. In theory it makes sense. It would cover the entire year just like a Regular League. But it would be all European Clubs. Apparently they also want to add Promotion and Relegation to the Super League, so that the European Super League replaces Champions League, Europa League and Conference League and even add a 4th Tier. I can see where Florentino got the idea. After all Real Madrid is also the Champions of Europe on Basketball as well. And the Euro League is basically a League, but with clubs from all over Europe. They want to basically create that, an actual League, not a Tournament.

[@redjohn44]

@@unnamedshadow1866 sounds good - unfortunately it's a conflict of interest. Florentino Perez is rooting for Madrid, so him having oversight on referees etc - would just means he gets to secretly bribe referees with 0 accountability because he owns the league. I don't trust that old crook. The idea is good though, execution - not so much.

[@nil_90]

As far as I know, EPL was formed the same way, a breakaway league. Yet many pundits (and regular people) from England declares Superleague unethical and on odds with their "values". EPL is already a superleague, and if clubs from other parts of the Europe wants to compete and survive they need a better product like superleague.

[@donandres10]

@@unnamedshadow1866 You're talking nonsense. The plan has always been what Laporta just explained now.

[@hakigoat1079]

Woah so crazy to see Laporta on ESPN FC

[@johnrockzz1134]

Good to see Laporta interview in English! Good work Dan

[@Almstfam]

You can see that he's barcelona through and through, clearly the club's problems now is not his fault and hopefully he will continue to make the right decisions to make things right again.

[@richlaw3658]

Thank you Laporte, we curles always love you forever

[@Anilgowda1985]

Appreciate the guy for reducing the wage bill of the club to a great extent by getting rid of the high paid 30 + age players . This helps the club to rebuild and the surprise winning of the title last year justified the same .

[@GodIsLove447]

He seems like a humble man.

[@TranceIsMyDrug]

He's a snake jus like bartomeu and rosell.

[@Manpro107]

@@TranceIsMyDrug No. He is an actual President unlike them. He isn't afraid of being portrayed negatively, but he always ensures the best for the club. Yes he makes mistakes but I would rather have him than Todd Boehly, The Glazers or FSG

[@BabsW]

Respect to both of them for not ducking the European Super League question and answer respectively- although I am completely against the concept.

[@onome453]

Dan is made for this........he knows his onions to the teeth. Great interview. 👍

[@Wladislav]

You asked him tougher questions than I expected. Thank you!

[@peterbaldeo3686]

Joan is the cutest teddy bear ☺ lol

[@dipenchavda6988]

This man is a character

[@chevito6]

Great interview! Good job Dan!

[@pixelbyte09]

MY PRESIDENT 🐐 🙏

[@Manulajes]

One of the most random things we'll see this day

[@NELSONG12]

Lol

[@പഞ്ചാക്ഷരി-ല3ട]

Then go away😂

[@Manulajes]

@@പഞ്ചാക്ഷരി-ല3ട what?

[@francisemmy1787]

Exactly recruiting this players are good for the publicity but it takes a lot more actually improve a league

[@marconeves1979]

GREAT interview!! BRAVO

[@PeterMuke-cy2cc]

The best football president in the world visca Catalonia visca Barcelona from Zambia Lusaka 👏💪❤️

[@companion5417]

Dan killing these interviews🔥🔥🔥👌

[@alejandroambrocio]

Laporta represents the Culers very well.. visca Barça...

[@dharmawiguna3232]

his english is better than Harry Kane

[@RexBarca]

Haha

[@johnnysins9054]

Crazy how Laporta is on ESPN FC these dudes do nothing but hate on barca all year.

[@bonkngr1681]

Juan Laporta is bigger than his club barcelona n he's jealous of messi to continue in barca he's afraid that messi will be bigger than his club barcelona,

[@bonkngr1681]

I don't believe what a single words he said

[@Kriscur20]

​@@bonkngr1681ok messi stan, go watch the leagues cup

[@bonkngr1681]

@@Kriscur20 barcelona lost against Arsenal 😄 🤣 😂 ,while messi was in barca he single handlely scores 5 goals against Arsenal

[@alejandrodiaz945]

@@bonkngr1681it’s a preseason game 💀 and it was Arsenal’s fifth game and Barca’s first so Arsenal was most likely going to win as they were match sharp.

[@imageview6896]

Interesting camera work lol but besides that it's nice to hear from Mr. Laporta's views of different matters

[@kitaimelusisampa9349]

Great work Dan and ESPN

[@WhitePalmer]

He knows Suarez will go there

[@mist1920]

Bring Florentino Perez there lmaoo

[@outlawfly664]

Perez might of helped Barca if this guy didn't ruin the relationship

[@saadomar001]

Florentino Perez studied in the USA. I'm sure his english is pretty good. I would love to see it. PLEASE make it happen @espnfc

[@Kriscur20]

Was the camera man drunk?😂😂😂

[@franklin7519]

I like Barca's Presisent, he is transparent and down to earth 😊

[@tochuk_wu]

This guys isn’t a president but a Pr person 😂

[@BlackLoveUK]

That's the best president in world football!

[@ha-rr3pe]

Dan is the life of the party, great interview, mate.....and sorry you not taller than Sebby, maybe in the next life mate 😂😂

[@speedoflightvanc]

What a pleasure it must have been for Joan Laporta to be in the presence of Dan Thomas

[@tomaszstarzZz]

You are crazy lol

[@russell2890]

He's so soft spoken

[@manojneupane1492]

Must awaited interview ever

[@chappy48]

Can someone please stop giving monster energy drinks to the camera man?

[@parvizdzhalolov9817]

His English very good 👏👍

[@redjohn44]

it's not good, it's goo!

[@Rome1017Lights]

​@@redjohn44 how's your Spanish lol

[@michaela2776]

Well done Dan.

[@allinbenyamin3720]

Dan is the man when he's not on i dont watch espn....

[@Dubai892JK]

The guy who solely and bravely was behind the decision of kicking Messi out of Barcelona like a dog.

[@statickk14]

Dan is a loveable person …

[@albertorosales3035]

The greatest president of the of the history of our club. We love you LaPorta with all our heart

[@amantoaman]

Messi should play friendly match between inter miami and fc barcelona ❤

[@ARIYBALL]

So Lieporta in the studio to lie more to the gullible cute fanbase of Barcelona 😅But that cuteness wont save you from 3 peating europa league exit!

[@angellestat2730]

Sad that it was not mention that Barcelona currently has the best football female team in the world, with 2 of the best players of the world (Aitana and Alexia) trained by the same Barcelona since teens.

[@DUNDOM5]

Nobody cares for women football

[@kkpw12]

11:15 very well said!

[@coolestkidever1490]

Barcelona football club is Messi then too they make him serious cry thats lame of a club I will always love Messi"s Barcelona, no player will be remembered more as Messi for barcelonaaa ever again.

[@Liquidmetal14]

These are some great gets for the show. A+

[@salvationnanaasamoah8200]

The best Prez ever

[@sba7sport]

Good interview from fan as always.

[@AbhishekNag666]

Dan the fan 😂

[@nardostetemeqe]

I think he is lying about the real reason not singing messi because he is blaming Messi " not need pressure"

[@basedboys17]

Facts he is lying Messi already said

[@cptpawn7035]

wait did laporta announce luis suarez transfer to miami? because his still in brasil

[@Easy_EZ]

Camera guy on something

[@mr.sushi2221]

Tryna not make Laporta look as fat as he is lmaooo

[@adisalemdesta6820]

Laporta is double faced. His dig on Messi claiming Messi didn’t want the pressure & “wishing Messi to be happy” are Lapota ways of throwing shade on Messi as if he chose MLS over Barcelona to avoid pressure.

[@terefefeyssa877]

He wants to cover up His own mistake by throwing away His guilt using the word pressure on Messi. Messi enjoyed football. Pressure is the product of corrupted LA Liga presidents.

[@sthandiwepearlmogwele8482]

thats not true, Messi did not want to play with pressure anymore after PSG, and ofcourse playnig for Barca, one of the best teams in Europe would put pressure on him, in Miami he's free, there is'nt as much pressure as in Europe. President Laporta did not shade MLS in any way!

[@sarahjane6630]

@@sthandiwepearlmogwele8482 That's nonsense and a real misrepresentation you really think after all these years at the top and delivering over and over the guy can't handle competing in La Liga or UCL? Get real. No. When Messi said he didn't want to be under pressure he meant, pressure of spending all Summer not knowing whether he was coming back or not and then if he did return having to do so at the expense of a lot of young players becos then people would have expectations that he should play like he was 26 not 36 to justify it. It's not normal pressure of playing in la liga he was talking about - it was the pressure created by FCB screwing him over in 2021 and him trying to come back under these specific circumstances that creates the wrong kind of toxic pressure ok

[@Prasko131]

Messi said it himself in the interview that's one of the reasons he didn't want to join Barca 😂

[@faghriedaniels]

Barcelona vs Arsenal would have made a great Europa final last season.

[@abehussein218]

I'm glad he is back.

[@indrachauhan98]

Laporta is a best president of fcb, and the personality is nice and friendly too

[@alexandrovega7941]

Great videos 😁

[@eyebeesvlogs4544]

I am not sure if this guy is better than Bartemeou or not. But the Barca team looks solid this season, however the Messi era in Barcelona will be missed😢😢❤❤

[@carltonlambert7608]

Messi had it easy as he had Ronaldinho to help bring him through, but post Messi Barcelona have no one.

[@mr.sushi2221]

Bigger liar buy better with money

[@leonardogalliano3323]

Financial more for sure

[@e-maestro]

I am guessing you are a new supporter of the club, Laporta was here before and a lot things flourished under him, was not all perfect but he had a plan basically for the entire club not only Footballing aspect.

[@eyebeesvlogs4544]

@@e-maestro been a supporter since the Ronaldinho, eto era...I was not much interested in the politics part, but Bartemeou antics intrigued me

[@zabdi5710]

It's strange that laporta can speak english better than harry kane

[@thembamekwa2311]

Good Job Dan 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@teibhalangmukhim6127]

Strange to see you also as Barca president.

[@Rain188]

Is the camera man drunk?

[@JXHNV]

BIG BOSS👏

[@duckbizniz663]

Thank you Joan Laporta for sharing Barcelona soccer with the rest of the world by playing friendly games in different countries. This will expose the rest of the world to world-class soccer and grow international interest. Many Europeans do not like Saudi Arabia using their large bank accounts to buy top World Class players from Europe. But in all honesty the top European teams have been buying up elite footballers from Africa and South America for years. With that said we hope Saudi Arabia will spend more reasonable amount of money in buying players. These outrageous offers may bankrupt Saudi clubs and other professional football clubs around the world. Saudi Arabia would like to diversify their system of trade for their country. There are other ways to invest in the future of Saudi Arabia than to spend astronomical amount of money on football players. Especially when the money you are spending exceed the returns on your investment. This is not investing for the future. Investing in better coaching, dietary-nutritional programs, and superior facilities are other ways to compete. Best wishes to Saudi Arabia and international soccer competition.

[@mhmd127]

bro saudi will never run out of money xD

[@BlackLoveUK]

We Love you Laporta!

[@ricky-zs5pn]

I like these surprise interviews

[@x7Samuraix]

What a hypocrite. He didn’t OFFER ANYTHING TO MESSI. He betrayed Messi in 2020 and he thought he could do the same. Shame.

[@lexkanyima2195]

He's a snake

[@leonardogalliano3323]

Barca must move on from Messi

[@x7Samuraix]

@@leonardogalliano3323 Dude, having Messi for two more years would’ve solved two of Barca’s issues. One, the financial one, since Messi guarantee 600 to 700 millions in JUST merchandise and add to that, sponsorships. Second, and also important, the tactical one. He can help with the transition from the midfield to create goals opportunity. Something Barca clearly lacks. Just look at their last friendly against Manchester Utd.

[@benjaminramirez5901]

I see how ignorant some of you are. La Liga has a rule where when a player is renewing a contract, the club CAN'T offer the player 50% less than the previous contract. Messi already accepted a 50% decrease in salary but because of La Liga rules they couldn't register him. Yes I do agree Laporta should have probably given him more time but stop spreading hate towards this man. He's done wonders at the club and the only ones who know that are those who actually have seen where Barca were during Bartomeu and where Barca is at now with Laporta

[@iggymich]

​@@benjaminramirez5901Are you his wife ? 😢

[@kraantje2790]

messi goat

[@exol3283]

Shouldve asked him is there a possibility messi would return to barcelona as a player anytime

[@damilolabajela6120]

Great Interview.

[@unclewiki]

What's with the strange camera work?

[@CG68810]

It's experimental....Like the MLS

[@sammys3269]

EL JEFE 🤝

[@amantoaman]

More than a club vicsa barca ❤

[@vishrutmanseta7859]

Camera guy having a lot of problems

[@vibes1016]

I believe on you president

[@darknebula455]

As a Barca fan i agrre Laporta is liar cuz he is a politician & lawyer afterall. But i trust him on managing Barcelona. He is loyal to the club. As kissinger once said " He maybe a b*ch but he is our b*ch"

[@NELSONG12]

Wow, great job getting this interview.!

[@luiscastillo303]

Cuando vi la foto, pensé que era Don Francisco, de Sábado Gigante

[@piyushsonigara5550]

"All these are coming from our youth structure" - Sneaks in Pedri and Araujo

[@sibadas6006]

😂😂

[@Rome1017Lights]

Both players were signed to the youth structure and played with the b team so *technically* he's not wrong hahah. Perdi came at 17 and Araujo at 19.

[@sibadas6006]

@@Rome1017Lights in that order VINI, RODRYGO, FEDE also played in Castilla But my club isn't shameless

[@Rome1017Lights]

@@sibadas6006 lmao shameless? They did play in the youth structure, so what are you trying to argue here? This isn't the same as signing Benzema, Tchuameni, Dembele or Neymar who were in their 20s. Players like that didn't join the youth structure.

[@sibadas6006]

@@Rome1017Lights Playing in youth teams for one year or two doesn't make them academy graduates..

[@jonathanmolina6535]

Is it just me or does anyone also get distracted by the camera man that keeps zooming out, moving up, down, left, right, zoom in and zoom out. Just to ultimately have the best camera angle at eye level with a slow pan left and right. LOL

[@rolandcraig8091]

Yeah, everything will be organized, i bet you will not see champions league in another 10 years. Barca going only towards one way and that's backwards. They made big big mistake by letting Messi go and without Messi Barca is nothing to be honest, we dont even watch Barca matches anymore.

[@michaelmeleki453]

Rest

[@abhishekneupane1236]

Our President ❤ Our Pride ❤ Our Hope ❤

[@chappy48]

5:02 is someone fighting the camera man here? What is going on lol?

[@NTarses5]

ESPN football club so why you guys keep say soccer please this beautiful game everyone in world know is FOOTBALL ❤😮

[@francisemmy1787]

Don laporta ❤💙

[@alanF]

Very honest genuine straight shooter is Joan Laporta Always been a big fan since his first tenure as our president Unlike listening to that shifty politician Bartemeou Joan still cleaning up his mess and has done a great job with one hand tied