Barça’s Laporta sends Real Madrid message ahead of Vegas Clásico

It was Lluís Carrasco, Joan Laporta’s campaign manager in Barcelona’s presidential elections, who created the famous slogan that boosted Laporta’s bid to return as Camp Nou chief in 2021. That message hung outside Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu stadium - “looking forward to seeing you again” - resurrected the optimism and pride of a Barça fanbase with very little to shout about. Now, to coincide with the Clásico in Las Vegas, Carrasco has done it again. Asked by Laporta to come up with an original slogan that would have an impact similar to that of a year and a half ago, the advertiser has pulled a motto from his sleeve that has certainly made a splash.

Laporta ribs Real Madrid ahead of Las Vegas Clásico

In an unveiling event on Thursday, the slogan was revealed - having already been teased a few hours earlier, with only the famous line “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” made public. Now, however, it takes on greater meaning after being revealed in full: “Don’t worry Merengues, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. That’s the message from the Blaugrana president ahead of the Clásico, to be played at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. It’s a slogan that stirs up memories of the 4-0 thrashing that Xavi Hernández’s Barça inflicted on Madrid at the Bernabéu last season.

Xavi and Barça quartet also feature in Clásico ad

But it’s not only Laporta who stars in Barça’s official promotional campaign for the match. Xavi also features, next to the slogan “If you come to Las Vegas to play, we’ll play”, in a clear reference to the idiosyncrasy of a city that represents gambling and chance more than any other on the planet. The players also take centre stage as Ansu Fati, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Pedri and Gavi appear beside messages reading: “commitment”, “respect”, “effort” and “integration”. And at the very end, the four feature together alongside another motto that has a lot to do with Las Vegas: “Bet on Blaugrana”.