Farewell to Enric Reyna, the 82-Day President Who Dreamed of a Proud Barça
This Friday, the Barça family 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 known for great sporting achievements or football titles, but in the memory of hardcore Barça fans, he will always hold a special place for navigating that difficult transition and for those envelopes that became the stuff of legend.
The 82-Day President Steering Through the Storm
The year was 2003. Gaspart's Barça was sinking fast, and the club needed a temporary helmsman to steady the ship until elections could be held. That's when Enric Reyna stepped in. A Barcelona property developer and club member since 1965, he assumed the presidency on February 12th of that year. It was only 82 days, but they were intense. He had to contend with a suffocating financial crisis and a football team that couldn't get anything right. However, it wasn't all bad news: during his brief tenure, the club's professional sports sections won three trophies—the Copa del Rey in basketball and roller hockey, and the EHF Cup in handball—something he always pointed to as proof that the club was more than just a 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. In them, this businessman with a keen eye for deals laid out his plan to pull Barça out of its financial hole. The first envelope contained a series of player swaps designed to generate a capital gain of 50 million euros: names like Rochemback, Overmars, and Motta were proposed as makeweights to bring in players like Mendieta, Conceicao, or José 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, fans, employees, players, and directors can be proud of, proud of the colors and the way things are done."
Beyond the Camp Nou: The Legacy of a Man Who Helped Build a City
Away from football, Enric Reyna was a major figure in the construction and real estate development sector in Catalonia. Those who worked with him remember him at the helm of his construction company, Amrey, and for 35 years 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 trade fair, and just a few months ago, the College of Technical Architecture of Barcelona awarded him a Special Prize for his Professional Career. A well-deserved lifetime achievement award for a career dedicated to literally building the landscape we walk on today.
Those who knew him highlight his low-key profile, his love for Barça, and his commitment to institutions. So, when news of his death was confirmed this Friday, the sorrow wasn't confined to Can Barça. Even from their eternal rival, Real Madrid, issued a statement expressing their condolences to his family and to the Barça faithful—a gesture that truly underscores the respect Enric Reyna commanded throughout his life.
- 1940: Born in Barcelona.
- 1965: Becomes a member (soci) of FC Barcelona.
- 2000: Joins the board under Joan Gaspart.
- 2003 (February-May): Presides over FC Barcelona for 82 days.
- 2026 (March): Passes away at the age of 85.
The visitation will be held this Saturday at the Les Corts funeral home, just steps away from the Spotify Camp Nou, with the funeral service taking place there on Sunday. Expect to see people from the neighborhood, 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.