FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta spoke to L’Équipe in an interview published this Tuesday. Naturally, the conversation touched upon Paris Saint-Germain, as the two clubs are set to face each other tonight at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9:00 PM, broadcast on Canal+) for the third matchday of the 2026–2027 Champions League league phase. The Catalan executive was asked to share his thoughts on his PSG counterpart, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, manager Luis Enrique, and this highly anticipated encounter. Laporta: “He is managing things sensationally.”
“The relationship with Nasser Al-Khelaïfi?
It’s very good. With Nasser, I think I can say that our relationship is one of friendship. There is a great deal of respect. He is managing the ECA (European Club Association) in a sensational way—and PSG, too. (Regarding the withdrawal from the Super League project) Nasser played a role in all of that, as did Aleksander Čeferin (UEFA President).”
Laporta: “He has given it his own personality.”
“Luis Enrique?
The footballing dynamic of his teams carries echoes of Barça’s original style. PSG’s success has come under Luis Enrique; they’ve won because he has instilled his own personality into the team. And when he decided to shake things up—bam! (he taps his desk)—it worked. Credit goes to Nasser for putting his faith in him, and to Luis Campos as well.”
Laporta: “It’s going to be a magnificent footballing spectacle!”
“Tonight’s highly anticipated match?
The upcoming encounter between our two sides will confirm that we are both benchmark clubs on the global stage; for us, specifically, it will provide a true gauge of our current level.
It’s the kind of match everyone wants to play in, because it pits two of the strongest teams in Europe against each other. PSG is playing some very good football—they have an excellent coach and top-tier players. But so does Barça. It’s going to be a magnificent footballing spectacle! It’s essentially an early final. Perhaps it will even be the Champions League final itself.”
The Barça president is never one to shy away from bold—at times even slightly provocative—statements. The fact that he speaks so respectfully of PSG is significant. It appears that his relationship with Al-Khelaïfi has truly mended, and the progress made by the Parisian club is clear to see. This is no longer a group built solely on money, nor is it merely a collection of individual players.
Paris has become a strong collective, led by an elite coach and supported by a solid management team. It is, naturally, gratifying to sense that level of respect. That said, Barça certainly isn’t coming here to hand out gifts or put on a mere exhibition—though, given the two sides involved, some spectacular moments are all but guaranteed.
There will also be a clear, competitive edge on display. While this could theoretically be a final—or at least a knockout-stage encounter—it is not one yet; consequently, the intensity may not quite reach its absolute peak, especially given that it is still early in the season and neither team is at 100% physical fitness.
Nevertheless, both sides favor an attacking philosophy, so a sudden shift toward caution is unlikely. There are also three points at stake—crucial for maintaining a lead in the standings and moving as quickly as possible toward qualification. Then there is the matter of reputation; both teams will be keen to assert their superiority. Even so, the Parisian players have been quick to point out to the press that the reality of the season’s end may look very different from what we see in October.
