Farewell to Enric Reyna, the 82-day president who dreamed of a Barça to be proud of
This Friday, the Barça family has lost one of its own. Enric Reyna, who held the role of FC Barcelona president 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 major sporting triumphs 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 steering the ship through a storm
The year was 2003. Gaspart's Barça was struggling on all fronts, and the club desperately needed a temporary hand on 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 just 82 days, but they were intense. He had to grapple with a suffocating financial crisis and a football team that couldn't seem to get a break. However, it wasn't all bad news: during his brief time in charge, the club's 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 much more than just one sport.
The mystery of the 'Reyna envelopes'
If anything turned Enric Reyna into something of a cult figure for the fans, it was the famous 'envelopes' he deposited at the club just before his departure. In them, this sharp-eyed businessman laid out his plan to pull Barça out of its financial hole. The first envelope contained a series of player swap deals designed to generate €50 million in profit: names like Rochemback, Overmars, and Motta were lined up as makeweights to bring in players like Mendieta, Conceicao, or José Mari. The second envelope held technical reports on some land (Can Rigalt) and property development offers. Laporta's incoming board didn't take them up on the proposals, 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, proud of the colours and proud of how things are done."
Beyond the Camp Nou: the legacy of a man who helped build the city
Away from football, Enric Reyna was a major figure in the construction and property development sector in Catalonia. Those who worked alongside 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 chaired Fira de Barcelona and the Construmat trade show, and just a few months ago, the College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona honoured him with a Special Award for his Professional Career. A well-deserved lifetime achievement award for a career literally dedicated to building the landscape we walk on today.
Those who knew him speak of his low-key profile, his love for Barça, and his commitment to institutions. So, when news of his death was confirmed this Friday, the sense of loss wasn't confined to Can Barça. Even from their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, a statement was issued expressing condolences to his family and the Barça 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 funeral home will open this Saturday at the Les Corts funeral parlour, just a stone's throw from the Spotify Camp Nou, with the ceremony taking place there on Sunday. Expect to see local people, old friends from the construction industry, directors from different eras, and the everyday club members who remember that transitional president who, between one envelope and the next, only ever wanted what was best for his club. Rest in peace, Enric Reyna.