Bartomeu: Johan Cruyff would be delighted to have this stadium named after him

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu believes that the Johan Cruyff Stadium, which was officially launched on Thursday, will be a reference for the club and for the future generations of players coming through La Masia. 

"It’s a very symbolic day for us and I want to pay special thanks to Dani [Cruyff] and her family [daughters Chantal and Susila] and the team from the Johan Cruyff Foundation," Bartomeu said. "The Johan Cruyff Stadium should be the emblem of the training centre." 

Bartomeu also remembered Jordi Cruyff, who couldn't be at the event due to professional committments: "Jordi’s already said that his father would be delighted that this stadium, which represents the passage to professional football, is carrying his name. It’s a stadium which will strengthen the club’s heritage and it will also strengthen the club in a sporting manner." 

The Barça chief also made reference to B team players Carles Aleña and Sergi Palencia who were present. "Carles and Sergi, when this stadium opens hopefully you will have taken a step forward, along with [Andres] Iniesta and Gerard [Deulofeu]" to Camp Nou. 

A clear plastic time capsule filled with different objects was deposited into the ground where the stadium will be built, at the club's training ground in Sant Joan Despi. 

Bartomeu also thanked his predecessors: "This project is does not belong to this board, but to all the socios.

"I want to thank [former] president Josep Lluis Nunez, who brought this land and launched the [new] La Masia. I want to thank Joan Gaspart who laid the first stone of the training centre.

"And Joan Laporta, who followed the work and the inauguration of the centre. I also want to thank Sandro Rosell, who was the one that gave the final push to the new La Masia."

Barça B and Barcelona's women's teams will play at the 6,000-capacity stadium, which will cost around 19 million euros to build.