Joan Laporta, 62, president of FC Barcelona, spoke to CNN about Paris Saint-Germain’s exceptional season, highlighting their victory in the Champions League and Ligue 1. He believes that PSG and Barcelona played the best football in Europe last year, and hopes for a clash between the two clubs in the next continental edition.
“Paris Saint-Germain had a fantastic season last season. They won the Champions League and the French championship. They play magnificent football with an excellent coach, great players, and a strong team.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to play them. It was a football match the world was waiting for, because I think we were the most competitive and best-prepared teams last season. We hope to play them this season to see who is the best.
With all due respect to all the other clubs, because maybe another club will emerge this season that plays good football. But in terms of football, everyone who loves this game said last season that Barcelona and Paris were the two teams in the best shape and playing the best football in the world. (…) I hope that opportunity presents itself next season.”
The recent history between PSG and Barcelona testifies to a balanced rivalry, fueled by spectacular encounters and the presence of superstars on each side. Their recent Champions League encounters have alternated between thrilling and suspenseful, revealing two compelling attacking philosophies.
Each new head-to-head encounter promises a high-level technical clash, in which the Catalan creativity (Barcelona) matches the collective power and individual talent of PSG. Beyond the result, these matches embody the most attractive aspects of European football, even more so this season.
