Five more years: Barcelona club president wins reelection

Joan Laporta has won reelection as president of FC Barcelona, securing another five-year mandate after defeating challenger Victor Font.

The result means Laporta will continue leading the Catalan football giants until 2031 after members of the club voted in Sunday’s presidential election.

Official results showed Laporta winning 68.18 percent of the vote, while Font secured 29.78 percent. About 48,480 members cast ballots, representing roughly 42 percent of eligible voters.

Reacting to the outcome, Laporta described the victory as a strong show of support for his leadership and the direction he has outlined for the club.

“This result makes us very happy and gives us a lot of strength, so much that it leaves us speechless,” Laporta told reporters after the votes were announced.

He added that the renewed mandate would allow the club to continue implementing its strategic plans.

“No one will stop us. I am sure that in the coming years we have some thrilling times ahead,” he said.

Laporta indicated that one of the administration’s major priorities will be completing the redevelopment of the iconic Camp Nou stadium, which is now expected to be finished in 2027.

He also stressed the need for unity among club members while defending the interests of Barcelona in the wider football landscape.

“Members have voted for our proposal that all of us together should defend Barça against everything and everyone,” he said.

Laporta also acknowledged the contributions of head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco after the club secured a domestic treble last season.

Several first-team players participated in the voting process, which took place at polling stations set up at Camp Nou and in other Catalan cities including Girona, Tarragona and Lleida. Ballots were also cast in Andorra.

Laporta previously served as Barcelona president from 2003 to 2010, a period widely regarded as one of the club’s most successful eras. During that time, the team won the treble in 2009 under coach Pep Guardiola and captured two UEFA Champions League titles.

After returning to power in 2021, Laporta inherited a severe financial crisis at the club but introduced measures aimed at stabilising finances and rebuilding the squad.

Under his leadership, Barcelona won La Liga titles in 2023 and 2025 and reached the Champions League semi-finals last season for the first time since 2019.

Font, the defeated candidate, called for reforms to modernise the voting system so that members living outside Catalonia can participate more easily.

“More participation means more strength for the club,” he said while reflecting on the relatively modest turnout.

Source: France24