Joan Laporta announced in a presentation at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the club intends to create its own cryptocurrency and, within this new technological ‘metavers’, to resume the launch of Barça’s NFT.
“We are developing our ‘metavers’ and have refused to be associated with a cryptocurrency company. We want to create our own cryptocurrency, and we understand that we have to do it for ourselves, there is enough talent for that. With the blockchain great opportunities and business opportunities appear “, explained Laporta.
For the Barça president, NFTs – objects, works of art, images, among others, with a unique digital identifier – or cryptocurrency are part of the club’s most immediate, if not present, future.
“There is a new world of business, and to compete we have to develop a large technology and research department, collaborate with companies start-up, universities, development centers, all related to the world of innovation. The players know that we are in this, that we are a modern club that uses social networks, in the contracts there are clauses to control this new world of the NFT, the metavers … We are already working on it “, he pointed out.
Help with finances
In this regard, he assured that they will soon present their first NFT to “help the finances” of the club. “It’s something we can share with our fans around the world, who are 300 million. And Big Data is very important, among other things, to give better products to our followers. We are working with new sponsors, and NFT will be a technological thing because it is the new world. I could announce a little more, but I have to be careful because we are under confidentiality “, he pointed out, without mentioning the agreement broken a few months ago to launch these NFTs with an Israeli company.
On the other hand, in this talk about Barça of the future, he commented that money is needed to have the best players, but that “it’s not the most important thing”. “The most important thing is to have the best group in the field and in the offices. The atmosphere we create at the club makes the players comfortable. First of all, they are human beings and this is a card that we must also play “, he appealed.
“The stars cost money, but for Barça and me it’s not the most important thing. It’s a way of recognizing talent and professionalism, having a good contract. But the stars don’t just think about money, they also think about other things. And the city of Barcelona helps, as well as our history, the players we have had … The players usually speak well of our club. We are a club that attracts the stars and these talented players “, he defended.
Against state clubs
However, he took the opportunity to attack state clubs such as PSG and Manchester City, although without giving names. “We are able to get resources just like our competitors. The problem is when the rules are not the same for everyone. If there are state clubs with different rules, it is difficult to compete against them. That’s why some clubs are fighting against this, decisions that are not fair, “he argued.
“We can’t compete against state clubs like that, but in terms of history and success we are better. Europe must be alert, it cannot continue like this “, he defended, without quoting it, the creation of the bankrupt Superliga. “We have to defend Europe, make football sustainable. And the problem is this, not finding more resources. Because we are talented, imaginative, to catch the opportunities that sport and technology give us “, he added.
And when he was asked how he would attract a player to FC Barcelona it was clear. “The team is the best asset we have. The group is much more important than its individuals. If you succeed on a collective level, the titles come. But speaking of players, we want a talented young player who is a good person. The human factor is very important. A player who comes to professional football has talent, and the difference is the human factor. And then they try to include their talent in the football team “, explained Laporta.
