Farewell to Enric Reyna, the 82-Day President Who Dreamed of a Proud Barça

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 marked by major sporting achievements or football titles, but in the memory of true Barcelona fans, he will always hold a special place for that difficult transition period and for some envelopes that became legendary.

The 82-day president amid the storm

The year was 2003. Gaspart's Barça was struggling on all fronts, and the club needed a temporary helmsman to steady the ship until elections could be held. That's where Enric Reyna came in. A Barcelona-based property developer and club member since 1965, he assumed the presidency on February 12th of that year. It was only for 82 days, but they were intense. He had to deal with a financial crisis that was suffocating the club and a football team that couldn't seem to find its footing. However, it wasn't all bad news: during his brief term, the club's professional sections won three trophies—the Basketball Copa del Rey, the Roller Hockey Copa del Rey, and the EHF Handball Cup—something he always highlighted as proof that the club was much more than just one sport.

The mystery of the 'Reyna envelopes'

If there's one thing that turned Enric Reyna into an almost mythical figure for the fans, it was the famous 'envelopes' he deposited at the club just before leaving. In them, this businessman with a keen sense for deals laid out his plan to lift Barça out of its financial hole. The first envelope contained a series of player swaps designed to generate a profit of €50 million: names like Rochemback, Overmars, and Motta were proposed as makeweights to bring in players like Mendieta, Conceicao, or Jose Mari. The second envelope included technical reports on some land (Can Rigalt) and property 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 its colors and for the way things are done."

Beyond the Camp Nou: The legacy of a man who helped build the country

Away from football, Enric Reyna was a major figure in the construction and property development sector in Catalonia. Those who worked with him remember him at the helm of his construction company, Amrey, and for his 35-year tenure as president of the Association of Promoters of Barcelona (APCE), leaving his mark on the city's urban development. He chaired the Fira de Barcelona and the Construmat exhibition, and just a few months ago, the College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona awarded him the Special Prize for Professional Career. A well-deserved lifetime recognition for a career dedicated to literally building the landscape we walk on today.

Those who knew him highlight his low profile, his love for Barça, and his commitment to institutions. So, when news of his death was confirmed this Friday, the sorrow wasn't limited to the Barça camp. From their eternal rivals, Real Madrid, issued a statement expressing their condolences to his family and to everyone at Barcelona, a gesture that truly underscores the respect Enric Reyna earned throughout his life.

• 1940: Born in Barcelona.
• 1965: Becomes a member (socio) of FC Barcelona.
• 2000: Joins the Joan Gaspart board.
• 2003 (Feb-May): Presides over 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 the Spotify Camp Nou, and the funeral ceremony will take place there on Sunday. Expect to see people from the neighbourhood, friends from the construction industry, directors from different eras, and the rank-and-file club members who remember that transitional president who, between one envelope and another, only ever wanted what was best for his club. Rest in peace, Enric Reyna.