- Barcelona will meet Paris Saint-Germain tonight in the UEFA Champions League
- Joan Laporta has described his relationship with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi as one of friendship and mutual respect
- Barcelona have insisted that Lamine Yamal is not for sale, despite PSG having previously been linked with the forward
Barcelona And PSG Prepare For A High-Profile European Meeting
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has used an interview with L’Équipe to address both his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain and the future of Lamine Yamal ahead of the Catalan club’s UEFA Champions League encounter with the French side.
🚨🤝 Before PSG vs Barcelona, Joan Laporta and Nasser Al-Khelaifi had lunch together! 🇪🇸🇶🇦 https://t.co/KZTiAJ7O80
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 20, 2026
The fixture, scheduled for tonight, arrives against a backdrop of past tension between the two clubs. Barcelona were among the clubs involved in the European Super League project, which PSG opposed. More recently, Barcelona were frustrated when Dro Fernandez chose to leave the Catalan club for PSG, although the agreement subsequently reached between the clubs helped reduce that strain. Laporta’s dissatisfaction was ultimately aimed at the player and his entourage.
There have also been player-market connections between the sides. PSG have previously attempted to sign Lamine Yamal, while Ferran Torres moved from Catalunya to the French capital over the summer.
Laporta Praises Al-Khelaifi And PSG’s Standing
Despite earlier flashpoints, Laporta presented a positive picture of his relationship with his counterpart at the Parc des Princes, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, before the meeting between the clubs.
“It is very good (the relationship). With Nasser, I think that I can say that our relationship is one of friendship. There is a lot of respect,” began Laporta. “He manages the EFC (European Football Clubs, formerly ECA, an organisation that Al-Khelaifi heads) sensationally, PSG, too. I congratulate him. Today, PSG are European champions, and this match coming up between our two teams will confirm to us that we are the two referential clubs in the world and that, as far as we’re concerned, this match will give us an indication of our real level.”
Yamal Remains Central To Barcelona’s Project
Laporta also spoke at length about Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, who is 19 and has been described as a Ballon d’Or candidate. Yamal has previously been linked with PSG, now two-time European champions after back-to-back Champions League triumphs.
At 19, Yamal has already won European and world honours with La Roja, as well as La Liga with Barcelona. The Champions League remains the major trophy he has not yet won.
Barcelona sporting director Deco said in May 2025 that PSG had shown interest in the forward. Les Parisiens have previously denied making an approach. Barcelona’s position, however, remains clear: Yamal is not for sale, and the club do not fear losing a player developed through their academy.
“We are confident in our strengths. Barcelona pays its players well. That has always been the case. It is a question of feeling at ease at the club. Far away from Barcelona, it is cold. We are good here,” Laporta told L’Équipe.
On the World Cup winner, Laporta added, “He has this spectacular dimension. He is a player who knows how to make the supporters enjoy themselves. Lamine is a genius! He has this magic within him, this spectacular character. He has his way of playing but also his mentality. Lamine is entertainment! You can’t think about football without thinking about Lamine.”
