When Kylian Mbappé (27) joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2024, Joan Laporta was quick to say that it wouldn’t work. The Barcelona president has been proven correct in some respects.

The France captain has impressed on an individual level. In 114 games for Los Blancos, Mbappé has 97 goals. It is an incredible return. However, his arrival has coincided with Real Madrid’s fall from grace. Since his arrival, Real Madrid have not been contenders to win the UEFA Champions League, whilst Barcelona have dominated La Liga, winning the league twice since he joined from Paris Saint-Germain.

Laporta, speaking in an interview with L’Équipe, has doubled down on his initial comments. “I said it: too many roosters in the henhouse. It can never work, never. The priority in football is the team and the team spirit. If you don’t have that, the project doesn’t work,” said the Barcelona president. There was notable discontent in the dressing room last season, culminating in a clash between Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni. José Mourinho’s return over the summer was motivated by an objective to restore order in the dressing room.