Farewell to Enric Reyna, the 82-day president who dreamed of a Barça to be proud of
This Friday, the Barcelona family has lost one of its own. Enric Reyna, who served as president of FC Barcelona during the interim period between Joan Gaspart's resignation and Joan Laporta's arrival, has passed away at the age of 85. He wasn't a president defined by great sporting achievements or football trophies, but in the memory of die-hard Barça fans, he'll always hold a special place for navigating that tricky transition and for those envelopes that became the stuff of legend.
The 82-day president at the helm during the storm
The year was 2003. Gaspart's Barça was in deep water on all fronts, and the club needed a temporary hand at the tiller to steady the ship until elections could be held. That's where Enric Reyna stepped in. A Barcelona property developer and club member since 1965, he took over the presidency on February 12th of that year. It was only 82 days, but they were intense. He had to deal with a financial crisis suffocating the club and a football team that couldn't buy a win. However, it wasn't all bad news: during his brief spell in charge, the professional sports sections lifted three trophies—the basketball Copa del Rey, the roller hockey Copa del Rey, and the EHF Cup in handball—something he always pointed to as proof that the club was more than just one sport.
The mystery of the 'Reyna envelopes'
If there's one thing that turned Enric Reyna into something of a cult figure for the fans, it was the famous 'envelopes' he deposited at the club just before he left. Inside, this sharp businessman laid out his plan to drag Barça out of its financial hole. The first envelope contained a series of player swaps designed to generate €50 million in profit: names like Rochemback, Overmars, and Motta were offered up to bring in Mendieta, Conceicao, or José Mari. The second envelope included technical reports on some land (Can Rigalt) and property development offers. Laporta's incoming board didn't act on them, but the legend of the 'Reyna envelopes' has endured as a symbol of a man who, in his own words, dreamed of "a Barça that members, supporters, employees, players, and directors can be proud of, for the colours and for the way things are done."
Beyond the Camp Nou: The legacy of a man who helped build the city
Away from football, Enric Reyna was a heavyweight in Catalonia's construction and property development scene. Those who worked with him remember him at the helm of his construction company, Amrey, and for 35 years as president of the Barcelona Promoters' Association (APCE), leaving his mark on the city's urban development. He also presided over Fira de Barcelona and the Construmat trade show, and just a few months ago, the College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona awarded him a Special Prize for his Professional Career. A fitting tribute to a career literally spent building the landscape we walk on today.
Those who knew him speak of his low-key nature, his love for Barça, and his commitment to institutions. So, when news of his death broke this Friday, the sadness wasn't confined to Can Barça. Even from their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, a statement was issued offering condolences to his family and the Barcelona community—a gesture that really underscores the respect Enric Reyna commanded throughout his life.
- 1940: Born in Barcelona.
- 1965: Becomes a member (socio) of FC Barcelona.
- 2000: Joins Joan Gaspart's board of directors.
- 2003 (February-May): Serves as president of FC Barcelona for 82 days.
- 2026 (March): Passes away at the age of 85.
The wake will be held this Saturday at the Les Corts funeral home, just a stone's throw from Spotify Camp Nou, with the funeral service on Sunday at the same location. Expect to see people from the neighbourhood, friends from the construction industry, directors from bygone eras, and the everyday members who remember that transitional president who, envelope after envelope, only ever wanted what was best for his club. Rest in peace, Enric Reyna.