Laporta wins 5 more years as president of Barcelona after thousands vote in club election

Joan Laporta has secured a second consecutive term as FC Barcelona president after winning a decisive victory in Sunday’s club elections. The long-time Barcelona figure captured 68% of the votes cast by the club’s membership, easily defeating his sole challenger, Víctor Font.

More than 48,000 of Barcelona’s 114,000 eligible members participated in the democratic process, casting ballots at Camp Nou Stadium and four additional voting locations throughout Catalonia and neighboring Andorra. The strong turnout demonstrates the continued commitment to Barcelona’s member-owned club structure, a rarity among global football powerhouses.

“Thanks to this marvelous club, where its fans still vote to decide who will be their president and executive board,” Laporta said during his victory speech from an auditorium at Camp Nou, surrounded by incoming board members.

Laporta’s win represents a vote of confidence in his leadership despite the club’s complex financial situation. His first presidential tenure from 2003 to 2010 coincided with Barcelona’s most successful period in recent history, featuring Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary tactical approach and the emergence of Lionel Messi as the world’s most dominant player.

When Laporta returned to the presidency in 2021, he inherited a club in financial crisis. Years of excessive player expenditures under former president Josep Bartomeu, compounded by revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, had pushed Barcelona to the brink of insolvency. His response included the painful decision to let Messi depart to Paris Saint-Germain and controversial moves to sell club assets, including a quarter of Barcelona’s Spanish league TV rights for the next 25 years.

Critics, including Font, have pointed to Barcelona’s growing debt under Laporta’s leadership, which has ballooned from €1.3 billion to over €2 billion ($2.3 billion). Font’s campaign portrayed Laporta as fiscally irresponsible, arguing his short-term solutions would compromise the club’s long-term financial health.

However, Laporta successfully countered these criticisms by emphasizing his role in preventing the club’s collapse. He has reduced the wage bill significantly and increased commercial revenues. The debt increase is partially attributed to the extensive renovation of Camp Nou, Europe’s largest football stadium, a project expected to generate substantial additional revenue once completed later this year.

“We’ve taken difficult but necessary decisions to stabilize the club while maintaining our competitiveness,” Laporta stated during his campaign. “The renovation of Camp Nou represents an investment in our future that will secure Barcelona’s financial position for decades to come.”

Laporta’s reelection bid was undoubtedly strengthened by the team’s recent on-field success. Under new manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona currently leads the Spanish league and has shown impressive form. The emergence of 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, widely regarded as football’s next superstar, has reignited enthusiasm among supporters and provided hope for a bright future despite the financial constraints.

Barcelona’s electoral process more closely resembles a political election than typical sports leadership transitions. The campaign lasted several months and received intense coverage from Catalan media. Sunday’s voting saw participation from current coach Flick and numerous players from Barcelona’s men’s and women’s teams, as well as athletes from the club’s basketball and handball sections.

The election coincided with Barcelona’s convincing 5-2 victory over Sevilla, further strengthening the positive atmosphere surrounding Laporta’s win. As he begins his new five-year term, Laporta faces the dual challenges of maintaining Barcelona’s competitive edge while addressing the club’s substantial debt burden.

The club’s unique ownership structure, with voting members rather than corporate shareholders determining its leadership, continues to differentiate Barcelona in an era when most elite football clubs are controlled by wealthy individuals or investment funds.