As the curtains are set to fall on 2023, FC Barcelona will look back at the year fondly, after all the club ended their La Liga title drought this year, while also bagging the Spanish Super Cup.
Yet, there will be some concerns within the team and the administration heading into the new year, for the performances towards the back end of 2023 left much to be desired.
Yet, as the club bids goodbye, president Joan Laporta is hoping for another memorable year laden with success and has revealed his three wishes for 2024 to SPORT.
1. Return to Spotify Camp Nou for the 125th anniversary
Barcelona will be celebrating their 125th anniversary in November 2024 and one of Joan Laporta’s biggest wishes for the new year is that the club can celebrate the occasion at the renewed Spotify Camp Nou.
The iconic stadium is currently undergoing reconstruction, with Barça playing their home matches in Montjuic. But the idea has been to return to Camp Nou in November 2024, so as to celebrate the 125th anniversary at their home.
2. More titles
Laporta’s second wish for 2024, as per SPORT, is for Barcelona to continue winning more and more titles. The Catalans added two trophies to their cabinet in 2023 and will be hoping to build on that success next year.
It might not be easy, especially in La Liga where they have already fallen well behind in the title race. The Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League are all at stake too, and Laporta wants the club to bring more glory in 2024.
3. Meet the budget
Finally, Laporta’s third objective seems to be the most complicated. It is to meet the budget for the season. In other words, to bring in €859 million and make a profit of €11 million. All this, without selling more levers and maintaining a competitive team.
The Barcelona president will continue to prioritise the first team, even if that forces him to make unpopular decisions in order to ensure that the finances are in a better state than before.
