Josep Maria Bartomeu refused to criticise Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao fans for jeering the Spanish national anthem in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
The Marcha Real was greeted to a chorus of boos and whistles from both sets of supporters in light of their allegiances to Catalan and Basque identities, and the President was indifferent when quizzed on the topic after the match, which ended 3-1 in his club’s favour.
“After winning La Liga a few days ago, winning the Copa was our next target. We’ll now await [next] Saturday,” he told reporters.
“[Lionel Messi] scored one of the best goals in history. He’s been the world number one for many years and luckily plays for us.
“We’re very fit and our attitude is also good. We’ve reached the end of the season with joy, freshness and at a high performance level.
“[As well as Luis Enrique], the fans also chanted the names of Neymar, Messi, [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen.
“Everyone deserves [this recognition] and Luis Enrique is having a great season. Little by little, with many new players, he’s made the team we see today.
“It’s sad for everyone connected to Barcelona that [Xavi Hernandez] has to leave.
“He preferred to leave rather than stay for three more years, but he’s going on a return trip.
“When he’s finished in Qatar, he’ll work here because we need his concept of football.
“Everyone lived in peace [on the pitch] and [the fans] showed how they felt [when they booed the national anthem].
“There was a great rapport between both sets of fans.”
