Joan Laporta was elected as Barcelona’s president on Sunday with about 58 per cent of the vote, putting him charge of an organisation in dire need of positive leadership after his predecessor resigned in October and the pandemic strained club finances.
It’s Laporta’s second time in charge of the Blaugrana; he last served in 2010, when a 22-year-old Lionel Messi was entering the stratosphere of global influence. Laporta used his background with Messi to convince voters his deep ties to the Argentinian star could help him prevent a summer transfer exit.
Much has changed since Laporta’s last term, but he claims he knows the correct strategy to return Barcelona to the relative stability they enjoyed a decade ago.
Who is Joan Laporta?
Laporta was previously Barcelona’s president from 2003 through 2010 – a stretch recognized as successful on almost all fronts for the Catalans.
During that period, Barcelona won four league titles and two Champions Leagues and graduated the likes of Messi and Andres Iniesta into their first team while adding key stars via transfer such as Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o.
After this election, Laporta is set to be in power until 2026.
What issues did Laporta campaign on?
Laporta framed his run for president around his experience at Barcelona, telling voters he would be able to convince an unhappy Messi to stay because the forward trusted him. He also pledged an expansion project for Camp Nou.
“I tell the truth, I am the one with the most experience and determination, as well as the most credibility in [Messi’s] eyes,” Laporta said to Goal earlier this year. “It fills me with pride that [Messi] tells me that everything I told him was fulfilled.
“The issue of Leo is easier than the stadium. It would be very nice to get to this [125-year anniversary of Camp Nou in 2024] with Messi, it would be good final fireworks.” Continue reading