Former Barcelona executive: Neymar wanted to return to Barcelona; frustrated at failing to sign Courtois

Hupu News on November 15th Javier Bordas is known as the king of nightclubs in Barcelona. Together with his brother Ramon, he owns more than twenty discos and restaurants across Spain, and he has transformed the city's nightlife. But his story is not limited to the night: he was also a member of the FC Barcelona board of directors, experienced firsthand part of the club's golden era, and now he has given an exclusive interview to Diario Sport.

Is Barcelona the city with the best nightlife in the world?

Barcelona is the best in the world in everything, but I think we've messed up a bit in recent years. Many cities are developing faster than us. We have Madrid as a reference. They took advantage of the epidemic and had much more tolerant policies, opening up earlier and allowing businesses to operate. We were and still are so restrictive here that nothing is allowed, so we're a little behind. I think things are changing now, they are improving, security is better, and we have to work in that direction.

How did you join Russell’s board of directors? How do you get along with Messi, Neymar and Suarez?

Sandro and I met at ESADE University. Although we were in different grades, we met on the football team. By the way, that team was great... Sandro was also great (humorously). Regarding relationships with players, don’t think that executives have that much contact with football players. There is a very clear line between the dressing room and the boardroom, and what struck me most was that after Neymar left Barcelona, ​​he asked me to bring him back, and he said he regretted it immediately.

Was it when he was in Paris?

Yes, Messi and Suarez are also pushing hard for the Brazilian to return.

Then why didn't he come back?

We came to an agreement that I thought was pretty good, but ultimately decided not to do it. Neymar is the only player for whom PSG has made an offer.

Do you feel sorry?

Don't think that the whole board wants to sign him, I do want to bring back Neymar, I think he could have played an amazing role at Barcelona. He really wanted to come and he would have made a lot of commitments and led Barcelona. I was frustrated that several transfers didn't happen. One was Thibaut Courtois, who I wanted to sign when he was at Atletico Madrid, but the club thought ter Stegen and Bravo were better.

Do you propose the transfer, or does the technical team or the chairman have the final say?

My situation is a bit atypical. I'm a football fan, I like football very much. The usual process is for a transfer proposal to come from the Technical Secretariat. Then the economic department decides whether it is feasible, and I will give free rein and make proactive suggestions. For example, I proposed Courtois to Sandro, but when I handed the proposal to the technical secretariat, they blocked it.

Some people have also talked about the possibility of Harland and Mbappe joining... Are they really as close as they say?

I think yes, it could have been done. Neymar may also end up going to Real Madrid. Neymar almost went to Real Madrid, but after seeing the possibility of coming to Barcelona, ​​he rejected Real Madrid. He is a Barcelona man at heart and most players want to come to Barcelona. This is a world-class benchmark. This city, as I said before, is the best in the world.

What do you think of everything surrounding Camp Nou? When do you think it will be finished?

Alright, there is a training session this week. I hope we can go back now, against Atletico Madrid. But for it to be fully completed, I think it will take a few years. Until the roof and all works are completed. When it is fully built, it will honestly be one of the best stadiums in the world.

Do you want to return to Barcelona (board)?

On the one hand, I want to go back because I am a loyal Barcelona fan. But on the other hand, it must be under specific conditions, not just any situation or any team.

During your tenure as a Barcelona executive, there were also many football players who went to your venues

Now people talk about Yamal, if he has such talent at the age of 18 and can reach this height, it is because he knows how to discipline himself. In general, this is true for almost everyone. There are exceptions sometimes, and we all remember the one who lost control. But usually, they know how to allocate their energy, know when to go out and when not, how late you can drink...

How do you want people to remember you, as an entrepreneur or as a Barcelona person?

As an entrepreneur. As a Barcelona guy I'm just one of them, we make a lot of couples happen in Barcelona... Sometimes people only see the bad side. Sometimes I meet people who say to us: We met at one of your venues and look, we now have three children. Being able to provide work for so many people and having people have fun at our venues, all of which makes you feel fulfilled, is the beautiful part of my job.