FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta has sparked controversy by "stealing" the spotlight during the celebrations of the Blaugrana handball team by being the one to lift the trophy, a role traditionally reserved for the team captain. The Catalan team defeated Denmark's Aalborg 31-30.

The Reason Why Laporta Dismissed Xavi

Barcelona's handball team is one of the most decorated in the sport, with this trophy marking their 12th EHF Champions League title. To reach the final against Aalborg, the Blaugranas had to defeat Germany's THW Kiel in a Final Four match that ended 30-18. Throughout the campaign, Barcelona lost only 2 games.

The controversy arose during the title celebration when a viral video showed Joan Laporta lifting the trophy. Traditionally, it is the team captain who presents the trophy to the fans and raises it up and down alongside his teammates.

Laporta's action did not go unnoticed and drew a number of negative comments, mainly from Real Madrid fans. One of the main comparisons was between Laporta and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, with social media users noting that Pérez did not steal the spotlight from his players when they won their 15th Champions League title.

Joao Félix Speaks About His Future: "I Love Barça"

Another point of criticism against Laporta, who was accused of making a fool of himself, stemmed from comments made by former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart. Gaspart remarked that when Real Madrid won the Champions League, "they celebrated as if they had landed on the moon."