In the run-up to the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final between Barcelona and Real Madrid, attention centers on the possible encounters at the highest level of club leadership. The schedule sees the two presidents, Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez, meeting in Riyadh should the agenda permit. As with the previous edition, a late change in plans could alter this expectation, but the current outline leaves room for a brief, constructive dialogue between the two sides before the game. This openness mirrors the tournament organizers’ approach, aiming to balance formal diplomacy with the spectacle on the pitch.
The organizing body, the RFEF, has prepared a formal gathering at the Spanish embassy in Riyadh for Saturday, January 13. The plan includes a range of ceremonial activities designed to strengthen ties between the clubs and their respective leadership, while the primary focus remains on the match itself. No additional meetings between Laporta and Pérez are scheduled prior to kickoff, and there is no corporate luncheon scheduled as part of the day’s agenda. [Source: RFEF official schedule]
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Schedule of the 2024 Spanish Super Cup final and where to watch it on TV
A notable moment in the tournament’s recent history occurred a few years back when the two presidents met amid broader discussions about the then-current European football landscape. That particular exchange, focused on the European Super League concept, highlighted how leadership conversations can influence the broader context around matches and competitions. In contrast, last year’s interactions were largely limited to official and corporate events, with the day-to-day engagement seeing less direct contact between the two clubs’ top executives.
The dynamic between Laporta and Pérez in recent seasons has varied. There was a period when both clubs maintained regular presence in each other’s surroundings during league fixtures, yet the most recent classic at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, staged in Montjuïc in October 2023, saw a measured distance. Pérez did not attend the Barcelona game, which ended with a 1-2 scoreline, underscoring a shift toward more formal and less personal interactions as the teams prepare for this high-stakes clash. This evolving pattern reflects a balancing act between competitive intensity and the ceremonial duties that accompany a high-profile final. [Cited context: historical match records and leadership attendance]