Joan Laporta has been re-elected president of FC Barcelona after defeating rival Victor Font in the club’s presidential election held on Sunday.
The 63-year-old lawyer secured a decisive victory, winning 68.18 percent of the vote compared to Font’s 29.78 percent. About 42 percent of club members participated in the election, representing 48,480 votes.
Laporta, who had previously defeated Font in the 2021 election, will officially return to the position in July after stepping down temporarily as required during the electoral process. His new mandate will see him remain in charge of the Catalan club until 2031.
Reacting to the victory, Joan Laporta expressed gratitude to the members of the club for their support.
“This result makes us very happy and gives us a lot of strength, a lot, so much that it leaves us speechless,” Laporta told reporters.
“No one will stop us. I am sure that in the coming years, as I’ve said to you, we have some thrilling times ahead.”
Laporta said one of the major priorities of his administration would be completing the renovation of the Camp Nou, which is currently undergoing a large-scale redevelopment project expected to be finished in 2027, a year later than originally scheduled.
He also emphasised the need to defend the club’s interests against what he described as external pressures.
“(Club members) have voted for our proposal, which was that all of us together should defend Barca against everything and everyone,” he said.
The re-elected president also praised the contributions of head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco, both of whom played key roles in helping the club secure a domestic treble last season.
Several high-profile figures connected to the club participated in the voting process. Among them were former Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets, three-time women’s Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati and former player and coach Xavi Hernandez.
Voting took place at multiple locations including the club’s stadium, Camp Nou, as well as across several Catalan cities such as Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, with an additional voting centre set up in Andorra.
Laporta celebrated the victory alongside players after Barcelona’s emphatic 5–2 win over Sevilla FC earlier in the day.
Laporta first served as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010, a period widely regarded as one of the club’s most successful eras. During that time, Barcelona won the historic treble under coach Pep Guardiola in 2009.
His administration also oversaw the rise of club legend Lionel Messi, the signing of Brazilian star Ronaldinho, and two UEFA Champions League titles in 2006 and 2009.
Laporta returned to power in 2021 at a time when Barcelona was facing a severe financial crisis. Although he had promised to keep Messi at the club, financial constraints forced the Argentine superstar to leave shortly afterward.
In an effort to stabilise the club’s finances, Laporta authorised the sale of future television rights and partial club assets to raise funds for new signings, including Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in 2022.
Since then, Barcelona have won La Liga titles in 2023 and 2025 and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season for the first time since 2019.
Laporta also faced criticism for aligning with Florentino Perez to support the controversial European Super League project. Barcelona eventually withdrew from the initiative earlier this year.
Meanwhile, defeated candidate Victor Font said the election process should be modernised to allow members living outside Catalonia to vote remotely.
“The turnout is the most negative aspect of the day—we would have loved for it to be higher because we believe the club needs to be more participatory, as with voting by mail,” Font said.
“More participation means more strength.”
What you should know
Joan Laporta is one of the most influential figures in Barcelona’s modern history.
His first presidency from 2003 to 2010 coincided with the club’s rise to global dominance under Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi. His return in 2021 came during a major financial crisis, forcing difficult decisions including restructuring club finances and parting ways with Messi.
His latest re-election signals continued support from members as the club focuses on financial stability, stadium redevelopment and competitive success.
