Barcelona head coach Xavi was this afternoon drawn on the reasoning behind Joan Laporta’s presence at the club’s latest training session on Monday.
Laporta’s name has taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Catalunya’s capital across the day to date.
This comes after Barca’s president was a surprise guest at The Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
As showcased in the footage below, Laporta, in an act ‘never seen before’, sought out Xavi and his coaching staff, to provide each with a hug and some words of encouragement prior to training kicking into gear this morning.
The Spanish patron’s presence, of course, comes just 24 hours out from arguably Barcelona’s biggest outing of the season to date.
The Blaugrana will mark their return to action on the continent on Tuesday night, in the 2nd leg of the club’s Champions League quarter-final tie with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference this afternoon, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Laporta’s visit was put to the club’s headmaster.
And, after first joking that as much came with the 61-year-old having been eager to join in the training drills himself, Xavi went on to reveal that Laporta was simply keen to convey his excitement regarding tomorrow’s fixture:
“Laporta joining the training session? He told me that he wanted to stay and play the rondo with the players. He’s a Culé just like everyone else. He’s very excited for tomorrow.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
