Barça president Joan Laporta has reportedly offered the players a special bonus to beat Valencia tomorrow night. Laporta talked to the players for twenty minutes with the agreement of Frank Rijkaard and Txiki Begiristain, and asked for unity and that the players should isolate themselves from external comments. Laporta is supposedly worried that a failure to reach the Copa del Rey final could have a disastrous effect on the remainder of the season.
While I applaud Laporta for taking the initiative to try to get the most out of the players, I do wonder how much he himself has been influenced by the external comments from the press after Sunday’s draw at Almeria. I also have to question whether a bit of extra cash to players who already earn millions will really make any difference. While we all want to see the team at its best, if a cash injection really does make a difference it begs the question of whether the players are in any way motivated by their own pride and professional ambition.
Ultimately I don’t feel the players need this kind of incentive and perhaps the move by Laporta stems from a desire of being seen to be doing something. Now if the players turn in the performance of the season tomorrow night, some will draw the conclusion that it was the money that did it.
9 responses so far ↓
Youssef Gazia // Mar 19, 2008 at 14:05
Absolutly no problem with an extra motivation cash injection. Barca fans seem to be too caught up with what the press says that they forget about the team. Let the press say what ever the want, the important thing is the results, the important thing is for the fans to sing, at the end of the season ‘campeone, campeone, ole ole ole’
FCB - Canada // Mar 19, 2008 at 16:54
Hmm interesting. In my opinion they were already going to beat Valencia.
This can’t hurt though. Although what does this tell you?
blaugranaboy // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:10
this is good shit from laporta, its not so much about the money but hopefully when he had his 20 min alone with them he managed to inspire them and create some unity. he is a great leader, so that can only motivate players. i hope
Taras // Mar 19, 2008 at 17:49
Don’t Barca players earn MUCH money already? I think Laporta would better say to our players- “If you lose I will take half of your money!”
Siim // Mar 19, 2008 at 18:40
I don’t think they’ll try harder because they get more money for winning. It’s like offering an extra candy for a child who already has a thousand candies. It just won’t work.
Nevertheless I think they’ll put more effort into this for trying not to disappoint Laporta’s trust. Good move by the president.
Hilal // Mar 19, 2008 at 20:34
lol….Taras…..I would love to see that!! I bet we would see them work their asses off week in week out!! Football players should have their salaries adjusted according to their weekly performances. If somebody is getting paid £100,000/week to play football then we should get our moneys worth each week. Otherwise lets take the money and give it to somebody who deserves it. I know it would never happen, but I would love to see what it would do to the players performances!
Varughese // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:15
Hope this inspires them to put up a great show.
Oliver Fowler // Mar 20, 2008 at 11:54
Bonuses are a wise motivator.
Real Sociedad’s amazing season was certainly a ‘bonus’ for them, wasn’t it?
Piotrek // Mar 20, 2008 at 14:46
Shame on you Laporta.Shame on our players.
We came to the point Our president has to use $ to motivate the team to beat very weak Valencia in semi final of Copa del Rey .Im laughing my ass off…They are earning shit loads of money and after such pathetic performance with Almeria players rather should be stripped of week wages than getting $ bonus.
I would understand that bonus right before CL final but hey its just CDR and we are playing at home.Its their obligation to win it without any fucking bonuses .LOOL.
Laporta bring Mourinho back plz.
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