Former Barcelona star Deco has spoken of Frank Rijkaard's relationship with Joan Laporta.
Deco has revealed a conversation he heard between his former coach and the then-president Laporta.
"There is a phrase from Rijkaard to Laporta that wasn't made public," Deco said in an interview with Papo Cabeca.
"He said 'Barcelona aren't a big club', being very direct to the president.
"Laporta replied 'how not?'
"'No, the big clubs are AC Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool, clubs that have five European Cups instead of Barcelona's one,' Rijkaard said.
"And he had a point.
"Barcelona was always considered a big club, but history didn't back that up.
"Now it's little to win the league and the Copa del Rey, but beforehand it was a big thing to win the Copa.
"Barcelona have always had great players, but beforehand was unable to form a great team."