Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, March 16, 2026, 08:11 / Updated Monday, March 16, 2026 08:12
Joan Laporta will mark a second consecutive term at the head of Barcelona. He clearly defeated the opponent Victor Font in the presidential elections.
Laporta obtained an overwhelming majority, 68.18 percent of the votes, in the voting organized on Sunday evening, after the match with FC Sevilla (5-2). After the announcement of the result, the old and new president appreciated that “the result is resounding and gives us so much power that it makes us unstoppable. Exciting years ahead; they will be the most beautiful years of our lives“.
Surrounded and cheered by his supporters, who showered him with kisses, hugs, applause and chants like “President!, President!”, he assessed the results of the Barcelona boss election.
Joan Laporta: “We are unique in the world”
“I have nothing but words of gratitude for this wonderful club where the members vote for their president and board members. It's wonderful. We are unique in the world. I want to give a special mention to all the members who voted.
It was a celebration of democracy and civic pride and an exaltation of the Barça spirit… and I want to highlight the work of our management and staff. And I also want to thank the Board of Directors, led by Rafa Yuste, and the electoral commission,” Laporta pointed out.
The Catalan lawyer did not forget his opponent, Victor Font: “I also want to mention the other candidacy, which, in its own way, allowed this to be a celebration of Barcelona. I also want to thank coach Hansi Flick for coming to vote, Deco, Bojan … the members of the wards … the members of my campaign.”
Joan Laporta: “There was a candidate with a conflicting platform”
Then Laporta dotted the “i”. “In this election, there was a candidate who lost, a candidate with a conflicting platform, but the members voted overwhelmingly for our proposal, where we defend Barça against everyone. It's a show of support for the work we've done.
They gave us the strength to continue the work we started. Let's continue with the Spotify Camp Nou project, let's strengthen the team, with Flick on the bench, Deco in the foreground… The participation of the players made us very happy”, commented the president-elect.
We are past the economic recovery, we are entering a period of growth, and these will be the best years of our lives
Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona
Most fans want a tribute match for Lionel Messi
One of the first problems that Laporta will have to solve in the new term is to restore the relationship with Lionel Messi. In a poll carried out by the TV3 station, 10% of the club members surveyed want the Argentine to return as a player.
The majority, 55 percent, are in favor of organizing a tribute match for him. And 28% prefer him to be named honorary president, while (only) 6% do not want the Argentine to return to the club.
