Laporta and Miguel Ángel Gil Marín mend ties after a hug

Joan Laporta, president of the FC Barcelona, met Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, Atlético de Madrid’s CEO, at the European Football Clubs (EFC) assembly. In comments to Mundo Deportivo, Laporta said the meeting was “caring, excellent” and that “we ironed out our differences and got back to the relationship”.

He added that the two clubs have a good personal connection and that they “hugged” on the spot, emphasizing that he greatly appreciates Gil Marín and feels his “affection” as well. Laporta referenced the summer standoff when Barcelona tried to sign Julián Álvarez and Atlético delivered a “total and absolute” refusal.

Laporta, meanwhile, did not cross paths with Florentino Pérez, because Real Madrid sent no official representative to the EFC event in Copenhagen.