Laporta feels the sting of Pedri and Raphinha's Ballon d'Or snub, sets sights on winning the Champions League

Some statements say more through what they leave out than what they actually say. When Joan Laporta was asked about Jose Mourinho's complaints over the officiating in Real Madrid's loss to Betis, the Barcelona president dealt with the topic in a single sentence, then moved on, almost eagerly, to what he really wanted to talk about: the Ballon d'Or and the Champions League.

"What concerns us is Barca. What the other clubs do, as long as they don't cross the line of respect and institutional harmony, which must be maintained, doesn't concern us," Laporta told reporters, just minutes before sitting down for lunch with Feyenoord's board, Barcelona's next opponent in the Champions League league phase.

France Football and UEFA had revealed the finalists for the award for the world's best player the previous Tuesday. Three names with past or present ties to Barcelona made the list: Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. What was missing stuck with Laporta: neither Pedri nor Raphinha made the cut, despite a season that, in the president's own view, deserved more recognition.

It bothers me that Pedri and Raphinha weren't nominated, because I think they've earned the right to be there.Joan Laporta

Still, Barcelona's presence elsewhere is far from thin. Joan Garcia is among the candidates for the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the season's best goalkeeper, and on the women's side, six Barcelona players are finalists for the 2025-2026 best player award: Esmee Brugts, Cata Coll, Caroline Graham, Patri Guijarro, Ewa Pajor and Claudia Pina. The ceremony will take place on October 26 in London.

The Champions League, "the big goal"

With European competition about to get underway, Laporta didn't mince words about the club's priorities for the rest of the season. There will be battles to fight on every front, he said, but one matters more than the rest.

"Our goal is to win a third straight league title, which would be extraordinary; to remain the King of Cups, which would also be very good; to win the Spanish Super Cup, which would be a strong statement midway through the season that we're here to fight for LaLiga; and, of course, this year we want to win the Champions League. That's the big goal, yes," the president said.

Amid so many titles up for grabs, there was still time for a special word of praise. Lamine Yamal, the main subject of the pre-match press conference ahead of the Feyenoord clash, received the highest praise from his president, who highlighted both his play on the field and the way he's carried the weight of being, at just twenty years old, one of the team's captains.

He's a very mature man, a brilliant player. He's a genius. When he speaks to the media, it's extraordinary. You all have a great time with him and I think you should make more of it, since he's multifaceted and very sharp. His Ballon d'Or nomination is more than deserved and I'd be thrilled if he won it. He's one of the favorites.Joan Laporta

Between the absence that stings and the favorites that inspire hope, Barcelona head into the Champions League with the sense that this year, more than most, there's a real chance to fight for everything.