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For Barcelona, it hasn't been easy at all. Former president Bartomeu was incredibly extravagant, especially when he sold Neymar to PSG for a hefty sum. Instead of wisely using the funds, Barcelona spent big on several ineffective players with high salaries, disrupting the team's wage structure and damaging the club's finances. Laporta took over and has been trying hard to salvage the situation, even risking the ire of Messi fans by letting go of the highest-paid player. He also negotiated wage cuts with players and, in recent years, Barcelona has not made significant transfers compared to their rivals Real Madrid, who have been energetically signing stars and promising talents.
This illustrates how crucial a good president is. Real Madrid, under Florentino Perez's leadership, not only attracts top players but also achieves impressive results while maintaining significant financial reserves. Fortunately, Laporta seems much more competent than Bartomeu. By controlling wages and tightening belts, Barcelona managed to win the La Liga title last season despite fierce competition from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. Although they lack competitiveness this season, they are moving in the right direction.
Barcelona's youth academy remains strong, for instance, Pedri, who shines brightly for the Spanish national team, emerged from their youth system. Instead of buying superstars, Barcelona could promote more talents from within to save on wages. By accumulating funds smartly, they could eventually make a significant splash in the transfer market and regain their former glory. |
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