Overview
- Speaking at a memorial that marked ten years since Johan Cruyff's death, Barcelona president Joan Laporta called him the best player in history.
- He placed Cruyff above Pelé, Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, praising his elegance, technique and leadership on the field.
- The statement drew heavy social-media reaction, sharpened by Laporta's strained history with Messi after the forward's 2021 exit from the club.
- Laporta added that Messi will be linked to Barcelona in whatever way he chooses, saying the club's doors remain open to him.
- Coverage also revisited Cruyff's impact at Barcelona, noting 180 games and 60 goals as a player and 11 trophies as coach including the club's first European Cup in 1992, with outlets balancing legacy pieces and the renewed greatest-of-all-time debate.