LALIGA SANTANDER
LaLiga President Javier Tebas says that “Vinicius will win the Ballon d’Or”
The President of LaLiga spoke about FC Barcelona’s financial plan, the Negreira case, Vinicius Júnior and Florentino Pérez.
LaLiga Santander President Javier Tebas spoke to the media ahead of the Fanáticos de lo Real documentary presentation, in which he spoke about Barcelona’s financial plan, Real Madrid, his liking - or not - of Florentino Pérez and Vinicius Junior’s possibilities of winning the Ballon d’Or.
When asked about the plan regarding Barcelona’s finances for next year, the President said that he “did not know the viability plan. I cannot predict anything. It will depend on what they save on wages.” Tebas’ message concurred with what Barcelona’s economic director said earlier in the day regarding potential exits, saying that “the future of Barcelona won’t depend on the departure of just one player. It will depend on all of the comings and goings of players. It’s the start of a journey, but to get to the end they still have a few metres to go.”
‘Everything Barça do will hurt’, says Tebas
“I haven’t given any green light”, he continued, “I am aware that they are talking and explaining things. It is a club with a budget of over €800 million and they also have some very high expenses. There are many nuances to talk about. No green light has been given and there are still things to do.”
In terms of the departures, Tebas said he “did not know what exits there will be” and that he didn’t know “if they will be painful or not. I imagine that everything [Barcelona] do will hurt. Not renovating Busquets will have hurt, but there will be other things that will make them happy.”
Tebas also briefly mentioned the Negreira case, but only to shut down any possible questions regarding the matter: “It’s something that UEFA are dealing with and it’s down to them”, he said.
‘I am a Madridista, but not a Florentinista’
This past week, Real Madrid drew 1-1 against Manchester City in a hugely entertaining tie that will be decided on English soil. Tebas commented on the game, commenting that it was “a fantastic game. It was what we expected”. He also revealed that he will support Madrid, saying “I will support Madrid in the return leg, as always. I am a Madridista but not a Florentinista.”
Tebas kept on the topic of Madrid, saying that he remembers when he was criticised for lauding Vinicius Júnior when he first came to Spain. “I remember back to when I said Vinicius was a great player and I was criticised for it”, he said. “He is one of the best players in the world. It surprised me that he wasn’t in the FIFPRO XI or in the debate for the Ballon d’Or. He is up there with the three or four best players in the world and he will win the Ballon d’Or.”
