It wasn’t even close.
In a Sunday that felt like a referendum on the very identity of the club, Joan Laporta secured his fourth term as FC Barcelona president, crushing his rival Víctor Font in a landslide that has sent shockwaves through the Catalan capital. While many expected a tight race, the final tally told a different story: Laporta walked away with 68.18% of the vote, leaving Font trailing with just 29.78%.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a total mandate from the socios to keep the current “Defensem el Barça” (Defend Barça) project alive until 2031.
The Power of Continuity
The atmosphere at Spotify Camp Nou on election day was electric, but the tension broke early. By midnight, Font had already conceded defeat, admitting Laporta’s victory was “unquestionable.”
What swung it? While Font tried to paint Laporta as a reckless manager living on borrowed time and financial levers, the members clearly preferred the stability and passion Laporta has brought back to the club. The emergence of Lamine Yamal as a global icon and the team’s strong performance under Hansi Flick provided the perfect backdrop for Laporta to argue that his “save the club” mission is actually working.
“This result makes us very happy and gives us a lot of strength,” a jubilant Laporta told the crowd. “No one will stop us. The upcoming years will be the best of our lives.”
The Roadmap to 2031
With five more years in the bag, Laporta’s to-do list is as ambitious as it is daunting. Here is what we can expect from his new mandate:
• The New Camp Nou: The stadium is now slated for completion in 2027. Finishing this project without further financial delays is Laporta’s number one priority.
• The Haaland Factor: In the final days of the campaign, Laporta’s camp dropped heavy hints that the club’s finances are finally ready for a “megastar” signing. Rumors of a move for Erling Haaland or Julian Alvarez are already reaching a fever pitch.
• Wage Structure: Laporta highlighted during the election that the club has significantly lowered its wage bill, a trend he promises to continue while still remaining competitive at the highest level.
A Historic Run
If Laporta completes this full term, he will have served 17 years in the presidency—the longest of any democratically elected leader in the club’s history. For many, he is the only man capable of shielding the club from “outside attacks” while navigating the treacherous waters of modern football finance.
The members have spoken. They want the charisma, they want the defiance, and they want the Laporta era to continue.
