The news has spread like wildfire across social media and sports programs, sparking a heated debate among Barça fans. Laporta, visibly frustrated by the Copa del Rey elimination against Atlético Madrid and the setback in La Liga that allowed Real Madrid to widen the gap in the standings, hasn’t hesitated to point the finger directly at those responsible within the dressing room. “We’ve built a winning project with Hansi Flick, but there are elements that aren’t up to the standard of the badge or the historic moment the club is experiencing.

If we want to dominate Europe again and regain the top spot, we have to make tough decisions. I’m going to get rid of everything that isn’t contributing,” the president stated in comments that have been reported on numerous websites.

Although Laporta has not publicly revealed the full names on the list in the initial interview—preferring to reserve the details for upcoming meetings of the board of directors and the sporting department led by Deco—sources close to the club have leaked the five players targeted. The list reportedly includes players with important roles in the starting eleven or as part of the rotation, but who have faced criticism for inconsistency, poor performance in big matches, or off-field issues that affect the team.

The first four names that have been revealed are:

A central defender who has lost defensive consistency in recent months, making serious errors in possession and losing aerial duels at crucial moments. A key midfielder, accused of lacking intensity and failing to take responsibility for creating and winning back possession. A winger with fitness issues, who hasn’t reached the expected level after his contract renewal and has disappointed in head-to-head matches against strong opponents.

A backup striker who, despite his talent, hasn’t provided the goals or the necessary impact from the bench in a season where squad depth is vital.

However, what has most shocked the fans—and what has made this news a worldwide trending topic—is the fifth and final name on the list: Robert Lewandowski! Nobody expected the Polish striker, the club’s all-time leading scorer in recent years and a fundamental piece in Flick’s system, to be included in this purge.

At 37, Lewandowski continues to score regularly (more than 15 goals so far this season across all competitions), but Laporta has reportedly pointed to his “lack of hunger” in big games, his evident physical decline in the second half of matches, and the perception that the team relies too heavily on him without him providing the expected leadership in the locker room.

“Lewandowski is a legend, but Barça can’t live in the past. We need hunger, speed, and freshness. If he doesn’t adapt to the new cycle that’s coming, he’ll have to leave. No one is untouchable when it comes to winning titles,” Laporta is said to have stated in private conversations, according to the same sources. This inclusion has generated a wave of reactions: from absolute outrage among fans who see Lewy as the club’s last great classic number 9, to support among those who believe his departure would free up salary space and allow investment in younger players as a new elite center forward.

The context of this bombshell is no coincidence. Barça is going through a delicate period: after the refereeing setback in Girona—where the historic suspension of Soto Grado has reopened old wounds—, the Copa del Rey elimination, and a precarious league position, Laporta is looking to regain the initiative and show a firm hand ahead of the March 15 elections (following his temporary resignation to run for reelection).

Sources close to the president indicate that this “clean-up” is part of a larger plan: to rejuvenate the squad, reduce the wage bill, and prepare the ground for major summer signings, taking advantage of the club’s financial recovery and the completion of phases of the Espai Barça project.

Hansi Flick, for his part, has opted for caution in his first public statements following the leak. “I trust my players and the project we are building together. Sporting decisions are made as a team, with Deco and the board. My focus is on the next match,” said the German coach, avoiding controversy but hinting that not all the names on the list have his full support.

The fans, divided, now await official confirmation. On social media, hashtags like #CleanItAllUp and #LewandowskiOut are competing with #HandsOffLewandowski and #LaportaResignNow. According to witnesses, the locker room is experiencing tense hours: internal meetings, conversations with agents, and a deathly silence at the Ciutat Esportiva.

What is clear is that Joan Laporta has made a radical move. If he fulfills his promise to “clean everything up,” FC Barcelona could experience one of the most turbulent summers in its recent history. The message is clear: no one is safe if they don’t perform at the level demanded by a club that aspires to win everything. It remains to be seen whether this announced purge will lead to sporting success or an internal fracture that the president will pay dearly for at the polls.

Meanwhile, the ball keeps rolling. The next league match against a direct rival will be the first real test to see if this storm of names and accusations affects performance on the pitch or, on the contrary, serves as a catalyst for a team that is wounded but still alive in the fight for La Liga and the Champions League.