Azerbaijan and FC Barcelona Expand Sports Cooperation

Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Joan Laporta, President of FC Barcelona, on March 1, during which both sides discussed expanding cooperation in sports, particularly football.

Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, Joan Laporta recalled his first visit to Azerbaijan during COP29 and highlighted his admiration for Baku’s rapid development. He emphasized that Azerbaijan holds great potential for collaboration, which motivated him to return for a second visit within a short period.

The meeting emphasized Azerbaijan’s commitment to sports development, noting that the country successfully hosts prestigious international competitions and world-class football events in line with the highest standards.

A key highlight of the discussions was the signing of an agreement to establish the Barcelona Football Academy in Azerbaijan. The two sides also discussed future activities of the academy and initiatives to promote children’s football development in Azerbaijan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Joan Laporta presented a keepsake to President Ilham Aliyev as a token of appreciation.