Barcelona Celebrate La Liga & Copa Titles in Style

As director of Laurence Martin Developments, a residential property development company based in Johannesburg, Laurence Grigorov is involved in all aspects of the development process, including land acquisition, rezoning applications, architectural design as well as the finance and legal components of these complex projects.

In his spare time, Laurence Grigorov enjoys watching football and is a massive childhood fan of FC Barcelona who play in La Liga in Spain. Recently the club capped off a successful season by winning both the Spanish La Liga title as well as the Copa del Rey cup.

Thousands of Barcelona fans lined the streets of the city Monday to celebrate the club's success, although the pain of an early Champions League exit was omnipresent. Wearing the club's trademark blue and claret-coloured shirts, fans cheered as an open-top bus passed by carrying Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and other stars who were taking photos with their mobiles, throwing confetti or singing "champions, champions."

It is the eighth time Barca have achieved the feat, although the celebratory parade through the city centre was not as well attended and less exuberant than in past years. Not only did it take place in the middle of a long weekend, when many locals leave the city, but Barca fans are still reeling from their shock elimination by Roma in the Champions League quarterfinals.

As arch-rivals Real Madrid continue their bid for a record-extending 13th Champions League title, Barca fans are left pondering what might have been had their turbulent season gone differently.

The departure of Brazilian star Neymar last summer came before defeat to Real in the Spanish Super Cup. Barcelona regrouped, dominating their rivals on the pitch to win the Copa del Rey with a 5-0 demolition of Sevilla and then securing the league title, in their first season with Ernesto Valverde as coach, with a 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna.

It is Barca's seventh La Liga title in 10 years and their fourth consecutive Copa del Rey victory.
Laurence Grigorov is pleased Barcelona were able to bounce back from the disappointment of the shock Champions League result against Roma as I looking forward to a strengthened squad for the next season.

Words courtesy of www.supersport.com

PSG confirm Neymar capture

Laurence Grigorov, who has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa, is director of the property development firm, Laurence Martin Developments. The company specializes in high-end and luxury residential developments and homes. Laurence Grigorov has been leading Laurence Martin Developments since the company was formed in 2004.

Watching his favorite team, FC Barcelona, play is one of the ways that Laurence Grigorov relaxes in his spare time. Other hobbies include traveling, reading and exercising.

Laurence Grigorov was keenly following the transfer saga of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain as he is a huge fan of the talented Brazilian player.

Paris Saint-Germain have recently confirmed the signing of Neymar from Barcelona for a world-record fee.

The French club’s official website announced the transfer and that Neymar has signed a five-year contract.

It was confirmed earlier on Thursday that Neymar’s release clause of €222m had been met, and despite the objections of LFP President Javier Tebas, Neymar has become a PSG player.

“I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain,” Neymar said.

“Thanks for this new challenge - I'm really happy to come to Paris, to PSG, which is a great club in a wonderful city,” Neymar told his press conference.

“I really can't describe what I'm feeling in my heart.

“This is for ambition, they have a similar ambition to mine. I want something bigger, a bigger challenge and my heart made that decision and made me follow.

“That is why I am here. I want to give my best to help the club win trophies.

“I wanted to come to Paris and it was only linked to finding a new challenge. It is not because I was not the star at Barcelona, I fitted in very well there.

“This is not what I am looking for here. PSG deserve trophies and I will have new trophies, this is what motivates me, I want to dream bigger.”

Neymar will not be able to make his Paris Saint-Germain debut on Saturday due to his transfer certificate coming in too late.

Neymar had hoped to play in PSG’s Ligue 1 opener against Amiens, but an official told AFP that the his international transfer certificate was not lodged with France’s Professional Football League (LFP) by the midnight deadline on Friday.

However, the Brazilian forward will be in the stands at Parc des Princes to watch his new team in action.

Laurence Grigorov is disappointed at the player leaving his favorite club, but sees him as a future World Player of the Year winner in the coming years.