Laporta: Real Madrid are losing prestige and credibility; backs Yamal

📰 With the Clásico two weeks away, Barcelona president Joan Laporta has taken aim at Real Madrid. 📌 Key points 🔥 Laporta said Real Madrid are losing their prestige, standing and credibility. 🏛️ He called Madrid's absence from ECA and Euroleague meetings arrogant. ⚖️ He said the Negreira case has no basis and will end in acquittal. 🏆 He publicly backed Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d'Or. 🩺 He expects Raphinha back for the trip to Paris on 20 October. 📝 What happened 🔥 According to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta spoke to reporters in Sitges on Saturday morning, where he was being honoured. He said Madrid's stance showed a club losing its prestige, its standing and its credibility, locally, nationally and internationally. 🏛️ He criticised Madrid for staying away from institutional meetings of the European Club Association and basketball's Euroleague, calling it arrogant and urging them to rethink. He also accused them of talking about other matters to divert attention. ⚖️ On the Negreira case, he said there had been an attempt to condemn Barcelona before any trial, that the accusations have no basis and that it will end in acquittal. He accused Madrid of dragging out the investigations to keep the case alive. 🏆 On Yamal, he said: "It's only fair that he wins it" and "He deserves to win the Ballon d'Or." Voting is closed and the result is secret, he noted, adding that people should not get carried away by the reactions of a 19-year-old. 📊 By the numbers • What Laporta says Madrid are losing: prestige, standing, credibility • Yamal's age: 19 • The Clásico: 25 October at Camp Nou 🔭 Why it matters The president of the runaway leaders has lit the fuse before the Clásico. Barça go to PSG on 20 October, when Raphinha is expected back, before hosting Real Madrid on 25 October. All eyes now on whether Madrid respond.