Joan Laporta: Barcelona play the Best Football in Europe and the world, back Yamal for Ballon d’Or

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed his side play the best football in the world and backed Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or, Mundo Deportivo reports, as quoted by Barca Universal. Speaking ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray in Istanbul, Laporta said: “Barcelona, with all due humility, are playing the best football in Europe and the world.”

He named PSG and Bayern Munich as other contenders. Asked about Yamal, he said: “I hope Lamine wins the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it.” Barca have won all nine games this season, eight in La Liga and one in the Champions League.

Laporta declined to comment on Real Madrid’s complaints about refereeing, saying: “I am not going to get into that.” He credited Hansi Flick and Deco, adding: “The Deco-Flick combination is working, and there is this atmosphere and ambition.” On trophies, he said: “The aim is to be contenders to win every competition we enter.”