Josep Bartomeu: It has been a difficult year with complex moments

Josep Maria Bartomeu said 2017 as "intense, with difficult moments that the board has tried to take on calmly to solve, (with the decisions) not always well understood." 

He was speaking at the media lunch on Thursday held in the Sala Roma at Camp Nou, referring to selling Neymar, appointing Valverde, the political situation in Catalonia and more.

"It has been an intense year. Against the tricky moments that have come up, the board has acted calmly. After Luis Enrique's departure, the signing of Valverde, there was the renewing Messi and Iniesta's contracts, via the exit of Neymar and the Catalonia process, which affects us all." 

"We keep growing. Barcelona continues growing as a brand, a family and a club. We are conscious that without self demand and self criticism it would be hard for us to continue moving forward. This is what makes Barcelona the most admired and most loved club in the world. Not just for it's football teams but also for the programs and projects with the foundation of the Barca Innovation Hub."

To end his speech, Bartomeu wished merry Christmas to the journalists at the lunch and said 2018 would be better than 2017.