Today we end 2022 and it is time for everyone to take stock of what the last twelve months have been like., but above all to think about what we could do better. In the traditional lists of good intentions there is always joining the gym, eating better, saving for that trip we would like to take… So today is an ideal day of what that could be check list in Barça key. And here is for those of us who are fans and for the leaders.
First
Make a joint exercise that the financial situation of the club is not good and, as fans, assume that the reconstruction process is not immediate and the demand for titles should not be associated with whistles and handkerchiefs if the results do not arrive. Patience. Football leaders have shown themselves to be critical on many occasions, and Barça is not ready to go out on the transfer market like crazy again to try to clinch a title in 2022-2023. I always said that, at least for two years, I was content to demand dignity and a good role from the first team in all competitions, and I think that the fans -and the sponsors- were prepared for a “blood, sweat and tears& rdquor; when Joan Laporta came to office. The first months were optimal in terms of this exercise of joint sacrifices, but something went wrong last January.
Second
Not decapitalize the club more should be another great purpose. In 2022, assets for 719 million euros were sold, of which 519 million correspond to 25% of the television rights over a period of 25 years. Both operations -the second with much more strategic sense- barely served to reduce the debt and finance long-term investments (Espai Barça), but were essentially used to resolve a financial and accounting situation to re-sign without restrictions. Six months later, the club is once again subject to the restrictions of the fair play of LaLiga to avoid greater evils. Hence, the competition rules have even been changed to avoid a massive sale of future recurring income for the sole purpose of signing. Good.
Third
Meet realistic goals. The board itself has admitted that it works with an operational hole of 200 million euros per year that it has not been able to tackle. The transfer to Montjuïc, pending a possible salary restructuring, can only aggravate these losses if there are no extraordinary sales.
It is not the only possible list, but it is a good start for a more solid Barça future in the long term and not only now.