Joan Laporta has secured his position as Barcelona president once again, demonstrating his unwavering appeal to club members amid ongoing challenges.
In a decisive election held on Sunday, Joan Laporta emerged victorious against Victor Font, reinforcing his role as president until 2031. The 63-year-old, who previously served from 2003 to 2010, is set to return to the helm of the Catalan club following his resignation earlier this month as part of the electoral process.
A remarkable 42 percent of Barcelona’s club members participated in the election, casting a total of 48,480 votes. With 36,117 votes counted, Laporta secured a commanding 68.47 percent of the votes, while Font garnered 29.52 percent. Given the remaining 12,363 votes, it became clear that Laporta’s lead was insurmountable.
“We’re sad, we were really hopeful, and it’s a pity – we congratulate Laporta,” Font expressed to reporters after acknowledging his defeat.
Laporta’s previous leadership coincided with one of the club’s most triumphant periods, highlighted by a historic treble-winning season in 2009 under coach Pep Guardiola. Notably, many players, including Barcelona’s first team members and coach Hansi Flick, cast their votes following the team’s impressive 5-2 victory over Sevilla. Laporta was also among those voting at Camp Nou.
Voter enthusiasm was evident, with notable figures such as former midfielder Sergio Busquets and three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati participating. Voting stations were established not only at Camp Nou but also across various Catalan cities, including Girona, Tarragona, and Lleida, as well as in Andorra.
Long before the final votes were tallied, Laporta was seen celebrating, dancing alongside players in a jubilant display following their victory at Camp Nou.
During his last term, Laporta helped navigate the club through a financial crisis while attempting to retain star player Lionel Messi, a goal ultimately unfulfilled. His tenure was marked by controversial decisions, including the sale of future television rights to generate funds for signings such as Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in the summer of 2022.
Barcelona enjoyed significant successes under Laporta’s guidance, including La Liga titles in 2023 and 2025, and a return to the Champions League semi-finals last season for the first time in four years, demonstrating the club’s resurgence despite earlier challenges.
However, Laporta faced criticism for attempting to collaborate with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on the ill-fated European Super League initiative, from which Barcelona officially withdrew earlier this year. His previous term as president also witnessed the arrival of star players, such as Ronaldinho and the emergence of Lionel Messi, with the club winning two Champions League titles in 2006 and 2009.
