Barcelona president anticipates World Cup final featuring club’s talent

By Priya Nair — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has expressed his anticipation for the World Cup final, which he views as a testament to the club’s enduring success in nurturing world-class talent through La Masia. With numerous current Barcelona players representing Spain and Lionel Messi leading Argentina, Laporta believes the club’s footballing philosophy continues to be influential at the highest levels of international competition.

Laporta highlighted the presence of eight Barcelona players in the Spanish national squad, expressing pride and satisfaction as president. He described the potential final between Argentina and Spain as the best match possible at the national team level, noting the contrasting styles of play. He characterised Argentina as a more aggressive team, while the Spanish team’s style is more cohesive and aligns closely with Barcelona’s own approach to football.

Barcelona’s Influence on the World Stage

The Barcelona president’s presence at the tournament underscores the club’s deep involvement. Laporta travelled to Dallas to attend the FIFA World Cup semifinal between Spain and France. His decision to travel was contingent on Spain reaching the semifinals, and he departed for the Texas city after La Roja secured their spot in the final four.

The semifinal match itself featured a significant Barcelona contingent within the Spain squad. Players such as Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Pau Cubarsí, Ferran Torres, Gavi, Eric Garcia, and Joan Garcia were all part of the roster. France also had a Barcelona representative in defender Jules Koundé, ensuring that at least one Barcelona player would feature in the championship match regardless of the semifinal outcome.

Laporta’s comments reflect his belief that Barcelona’s footballing identity is recognised globally. He stated that Barcelona is considered the best, a sentiment he believes is widely acknowledged. This perspective reinforces the idea that the club’s youth academy, La Masia, consistently produces players capable of performing at the pinnacle of international football.

Messi’s Extraordinary World Cup Performance

Amidst these developments, Laporta also praised Lionel Messi’s performance in the 2026 World Cup. He described Messi’s tournament as extraordinary, highlighting his scoring prowess and exceptional creativity. Even at 39 years old, Messi has maintained his position as an undisputed starter for Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina, demonstrating remarkable fitness and competing for the tournament’s Golden Boot.

Laporta acknowledged Messi’s talent, stating that he is always effective. He noted that other players might show their age more prominently, but Messi’s unique talent allows him to continue performing at a high level. The president remarked on Argentina’s good fortune in having Messi leading their attack, citing his ability to convert opportunities into goals.

Messi’s journey in the 2026 World Cup has seen him emerge as one of the tournament’s standout players. Despite not being among the initial favourites to shine in this edition, he has competed for the title of the tournament’s best player. After participating in six matches, he has scored eight goals and provided two assists. His performances have led to him rewriting World Cup record books.

Following his eight goals, Messi is directly competing with Kylian Mbappé to be the top scorer. He has also become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, with 21 goals in 31 matches, and the tournament’s all-time leading assist provider, with 11 assists. These achievements further cement his legacy in the tournament’s history.

The relationship between Laporta and Messi has been the subject of discussion since Messi’s departure from Barcelona in 2021. While Messi has not made public comments on the matter, Laporta has previously reaffirmed his decision regarding Messi’s contract. However, his recent praise for Messi’s World Cup performance indicates an effort to acknowledge the player’s talent and contributions.

Argentina, under Lionel Scaloni, has demonstrated strong form in the 2026 World Cup, with Messi remaining a central figure. He has started in all but one match, delivering strong performances even in extra time. With a semifinal against England still to be played, Messi has further opportunities to enhance his record in the tournament.

Source: goal.com