Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff slams current president, backs Joan Laporta bid

As we approach the presidential elections at Barcelona, Joan Laporta, current favorite to win and return to the board, has just received a huge incentive from a club legend.

Johan Cruyff, who is a big part of the history of the Catalan giants, both as player and coach, gave an interview this week in which he completely slammed the current board, criticizing the Josep Maria Bartomeu administration for stripping the Blaugrana of its values in pursuit of monetary prowess.

According to the Dutch legend, Barça has to return to the days in which it helped UNICEF, and used La Masía, the youth system, as a way to introduce new first team stars. Right now, Barça B and the rest of the youth teams are going through a lot of problems, and Laporta promises to change things, which excites Cruyff.

Here's a few of his quotes:

"I am with Laporta, mostly because of the values. Barca has lost them and before anything else there should be principles, values. Money is secondary.

"Values like La Masia have been lost. Before it was a magical word, now that has disappeared.

"In addition, Barca has by a long way won the world prize for being caught up in judiciary issues and that cannot be. We must take this seriously.

"The drive by Barcelona to help the world with UNICEF was the most powerful drive in the world. With this initiative the club won acclaim in a social context. But now it isn't there.

"Neymar is always in the eye of the hurricane for non-sporting reasons. Seven trials, La Masia doesn't exist, UNICEF doesn't exist.

"I'm not saying what they have to do, I'm saying that in 2010 there were certain values that are not there now."

Sources: ESPN FC

These are some strong words from a man with opinions that are deeply valued within the organization. If Cruyff is backing Laporta, then you can be damn sure Bartomeu is worried.