His Plan is Exposed: Laporta's Latest Lever Splashes Real Madrid

Throughout its history, Real Madrid has always been a benchmark and model to imitate for all elite European soccer clubs at some specific point. Those dynamics continue to this day, especially thanks to Florentino Pérez's leadership in the white team since his return in 2009 to the club's presidency.

The latest to try to follow in Real Madrid's footsteps is its biggest rival in Spanish soccer: FC Barcelona. Just as the Meringue team did between 2019 and 2024, the team presided over by Joan Laporta has decided to renovate the Spotify Camp Nou. The process is taking much longer than initially projected, and its results won't be as spectacular.

Comparisons between the new Santiago Bernabéu and the new FC Barcelona stadium have made it clear that the Chamartín stadium project is superior in many aspects. But in order to  try to balance the scales in every possible area, the Barcelona board has made a decision: to imitate their Madrid counterparts in management.

In that sense, Joan Laporta would like to follow the same model that Real Madrid has implemented in the stands of their stadium. Especially with the VIP boxes: the idea managed by the white club will bring a considerable amount of money to the Meringue treasury for many years in a sustained manner. That economic advantage is what they would be seeking from the City of Barcelona.

Following the trail

Joan Laporta understands that imitating Real Madrid's management with the VIP boxes of the new FC Barcelona stadium could be another "lever". These actions, aimed at improving the club's poor economy, have allowed it to make many high-profile transfers... but without excellent sports results.

Especially because Real Madrid, in the last three years, has achieved two League-Champions League doubles. In that same period, in the Catalan capital, only one League and one Spanish Super Cup have been celebrated... in addition to all the defeats suffered by the white club during the same timeframe.

This decision by Joan Laporta, prepared to follow the Madrid management of the VIP boxes, confirms Florentino Pérez as one of the best executives in elite European soccer. All the titles and achievements he has garnered during his two terms as the Madrid boss support him in the public opinion.

At the same time, they complicate the matter of his succession. Although only the members have the power in that sense, through elections, any candidacy presented will have the bar set too high. Many already consider him, after the legendary Santiago Bernabéu, the best president Real Madrid has had in its history.