Barcelona President Laporta Criticizes Real Madrid for Disrespect
Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has publicly criticized Real Madrid following a heated Spanish Supercopa final. The match, which took place in Saudi Arabia, ended with Barcelona beating Madrid 3-2.
Context of the Match
The Supercopa final featured an intense contest that witnessed an early goal from Raphinha, giving Barcelona an initial advantage. However, Real Madrid quickly responded with three goals in first-half stoppage time, leveling the score at 2-2.
Decisive Moments
- Raphinha scored the opening goal for Barcelona.
- Vinícius Júnior, Robert Lewandowski, and Gonzalo García all found the net for Madrid in quick succession.
- Raphinha scored again in the second half, sealing the victory for Barcelona.
Guard of Honour Controversy
Following the match, Laporta expressed disappointment over Real Madrid’s players failing to offer Barcelona a guard of honour. Traditionally, the losing team honors the champions with this gesture. However, sources close to Madrid indicated that no formal rule mandates this practice.
Madrid’s Response
Despite remaining on the pitch for Barcelona’s trophy celebration, Madrid players were later directed by match officials to a different area, allowing for an unobstructed camera shot of the ceremony. Video footage surfaced that showed forward Kylian Mbappé conversing with teammates before heading to the dressing room.
Laporta’s Remarks
In response to the events, Laporta commented on the need for mutual respect in sports, stating, “In victory and defeat, you should be generous and respectful.” He reflected on the differing attitudes between the teams since their last league match. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the loss on Madrid’s players, particularly regarding Mbappé’s actions.
A Season of Rivalry
Barcelona’s victory in the Supercopa continued a successful run against Madrid, having won four matches against them last season, including a dominant 5-2 in the 2025 Supercopa final. However, Madrid triumphed in their first Clásico of the current season, winning 2-1 at the Bernabéu in October.
This intense rivalry continues to capture the attention of football fans worldwide, as both teams aim for supremacy in Spanish football.
