Emerson Royal was officially presented as an FC Barcelona player today after being announced as a new signing of the club in the summer. Joan Laporta and Emerson spoke at the press conference.
After two months of the official announcement, the Brazilian right-back Emerson Royal was presented at the Camp Nou today. Joan Laporta and Emerson appeared for the signing of the contract, followed by Emerson being presented with the Barça jersey by the president after which he went on to wear the club’s kit for the first time and made his way to the Camp Nou pitch.
Emerson Royal was signed by FC Barcelona in a joint financial operation with Real Betis from Atlético Mineiro in January 2019 and went on a loan spell to Real Betis. After 2.5 years on loan at the Andalusian club, Barça exercised their option to bring back Emerson for three seasons, paying €9 million to Real Betis for this transfer.
After the presentation, Joan Laporta and Emerson sat down for the press conference.
Here’s what Joan Laporta had to say :
On Emerson :
“I want to thank the family and representatives of Emerson. They have done a great job with the club so that he can be here. Emerson has to help us a lot to build this sports project that we are so eager to see succeed. Watching the presentation video, I remembered great Brazilian players who have played right-back like Belletti and Dani Alves. It is a very important position for us and we wish great success for Emerson. Emerson has a release clause of 300 million and we hope that he will be here for many years. He comes to a club that is more than a club, it is a declaration of our principles. We are a Catalan club open to the world. I am sure that Emerson will achieve a lot of success and have a good time.”
On the absence of fans :
“I think that if the conditions were good, the presentations here, with the fans in the stands, would have been beautiful. I’m sure that under normal conditions you would have seen a full stadium.”
On the squad :
“We have encountered significant obstacles, but we have emerged through them. Everything is going quite well. With the additions and those who have come up from the academy, we are making a very competitive team. We already have highly talented defenders, but we have incorporated more. We were able to see a very exciting first preseason game. We will see if we can do some more reinforcement.”
On Messi’s renewal :
“We are doing what we can. Things are progressing well and in line with what we have all thought, within the possibilities we have. We continue the process and I continue to see many possibilities. Leo wants to continue at Barça and we will do our best. I know that Leo wants to stay and I really value this fact. The best player in the world wants to continue with us and I appreciate it. Everything is well underway. Every night I have sweet dreams when I think of Leo Messi. I hope they continue.”
On the financial situation :
“The players we are incorporating can all be registered. We wanted more flexibility from LaLiga so that there is more financial fair play and there are possibilities of incorporating more players.”
On Getafe’s president’s words about the FPP restrictions :
“I appreciate the words of Ángel Torres, but I don’t dare tell the other presidents what to do. We all love Leo in LaLiga, he helps promote LaLiga all over the world.”
On Ilaix’s contract situtation :
“With Ilaix, we will try to prevent his case from being repeated. He has one year left on his contract and he does not want to accept the club’s conditions. We do not accept it and we have to send a message to the academy players. If he does not want to renew, he has other solutions. What we do not want are players that we have made at home and do not want to renew. He is a player who has been given opportunities, but the club is above all. I would like him to reconsider and reach an agreement with us. We cannot allow that we promote him and that later he leaves us. We will not accept it with any player.”
On the team’s feelings for the new season :
“There is a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of team spirit. We have the coach excited because he sees the squad prepared. I have seen a very good atmosphere. With some players, we are in a phase of reaching agreements and they have shown us personality and prioritized the institution over personal interests. The presence of young players also adds to the quality of the group and the veterans have welcomed them. We wish to regain intensity and play with an attractive system. Ronald is a person of dialogue and all his staff is very excited.”
On Griezmann :
“I would not like to focus on one player. If we do not have more fair play we will not be able to make more incorporations. The strength of Barça gives us the ability to do them. Griezmann is happy with the coach, he is a professional. He played well against Stuttgart. It is a situation in which we are open to listening to offers because there was interest in him. If the market does not give a situation to leave, he has a contract with Barça and we have to respect the contract.”
Here’s what Emerson Royal had to say :
On getting the chance to play for Barça :
“For me, it is a moment of pride to be here. I started playing at the age of nine, I was at Atlético Mineiro and it helped me a lot. After that, I was at Betis and they demanded a lot from me. Now I’m at Barcelona and it is a moment of joy and pride. It is a dream and it represents the dream of many people. I value this very much and I am going to do my best.”
On Messi :
“Playing against Messi is impossible. He is the best in the world and has a knack for doing unreal things if you are not careful. Every time I faced him, I have lost. I was sad for losing in the Copa America final, but happy for Messi because he deserved this.”
On being compared to other right-backs :
“There are players who have made history here, especially Dani Alves. I see him as an idol, he is a reference for many people. I spoke with him and he told me to keep working as I continue to do. I respect all of my teammates, but I have come to fight for my position.”
