Gabriel Masfurroll has died at the age of 72 after a long illness. The economist was a pioneer of the private healthcare system in Spain and served as vice president and spokesperson for FC Barcelona between 2000 and 2002 – during Joan Gaspart's presidency – after having been a member of Josep Lluís Núñez's board. Masfurroll was involved in one of the club's most important decisions: the signing of Leo Messi. Years later, he also served as vice president of the Barça Foundation between 2000 and 2015, under Sandro Rosell's presidency. His commitment to sport extended beyond Barça, as he chaired the Laureus Foundation in Spain, a non-profit organization that works to integrate people at risk of exclusion through sport, and was an ambassador for Madrid's Olympic bid in 2012 and 2016.