The stability of Joan Laporta’s presidency at FC Barcelona has been linked to an unlikely source of assistance from Real Madrid chief Florentino Pérez.
Following his election victory in 2021, Laporta faced a legal requirement to provide a financial guarantee of €124.6 million—representing 15% of the club’s budget—to the bank to officially take office.
Despite the victory, Laporta reportedly lacked the personal funds to secure the mandate, leading to a frantic search for financial backing before the inauguration deadline.
Reports suggest that Florentino Pérez personally intervened by contacting Sabadell Bank to facilitate the necessary approvals for Laporta.
The bank was initially hesitant to authorize the guarantee, citing Barcelona’s “serious financial trouble” and the perceived inability of the club to promise a return on the capital.
However, it is claimed that Pérez continued to push the financial institution until the payment was finally approved, ensuring Laporta could assume his role as president of the Catalan club.
The motivation behind this intervention was reportedly strategic, as Pérez believed Laporta would serve as a vital ally in the formation of the European Super League.
At the time, the Real Madrid president viewed a collaborative relationship with the Barcelona leadership as essential for the project’s success.
This alliance has since faced significant strain, as Barcelona eventually moved to distance themselves from the Super League project, leaving the long-term implications of this reported financial assistance in question.