Joan Laporta is reportedly preparing to step down as President of FC Barcelona, bringing a sudden pause to his second tenure at the helm of the Catalan giants.
The development comes at a time when Barcelona are defending their Copa del Rey title and sitting comfortably at the top of La Liga, reflecting a period of sporting revival under Laporta’s leadership. However, the move is seen as a strategic step rather than a retreat, as it paves the way for fresh presidential elections in March.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Laporta will officially resign next Monday in compliance with club statutes that require the board to step down before members vote in a presidential election. The elections are expected to take place around March 15.
This decision allows Laporta to openly contest for a third mandate. In the interim, vice-president Rafa Yuste will oversee club affairs with a 17-member caretaker board to ensure stability during the transition period, especially as manager Hansi Flick pushes for a potential treble and the club continues its financial rebuilding process.
Since returning to power in 2021, Laporta has been credited with steering Barcelona away from financial collapse through the activation of controversial but effective economic levers, which involved selling portions of club assets to fund squad rebuilding.
His tenure has already delivered La Liga and Spanish Super Cup titles, while last season’s Champions League semi-final run generated vital revenue and eased early criticism of his methods.
Key signings such as Raphinha, Jules Koundé, and Robert Lewandowski have played crucial roles in Barcelona’s resurgence. Despite the painful exit of Lionel Messi due to salary cap restrictions, Laporta’s recruitment strategy helped restore competitiveness to the squad.
The upcoming election will not be without challengers. Victor Font, who narrowly lost to Laporta in 2021, is expected to run again with a data-driven approach. Xavi Vilajoana is presenting himself as a corporate-minded candidate, while Marc Ciria is advocating for youth-centered reforms.
Despite this, Laporta remains the overwhelming favorite, buoyed by Barcelona’s domestic dominance, the emergence of La Masia talents, and the team’s renewed identity under Flick.
Internal discussions reportedly favored early elections in March rather than later in the season, enabling Laporta to capitalize on the current momentum before any possible downturn in results.
If re-elected, Laporta would extend his leadership until 2031, marking what would effectively be four terms in charge and reinforcing Barcelona’s traditional socio-member ownership model amid growing conversations about privatization in modern football.
While supporters praise his handling of the financial crisis and restoration of the club’s competitive status, critics remain wary of the long-term sustainability of the economic levers and the club’s existing debt burden.
Barcelona’s Copa del Rey quarter-final clash at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte tonight without injured stars Raphinha, Pedri, Christensen, and Gavi will test the squad’s depth as political developments unfold off the pitch.
Ultimately, the decision now lies with Barcelona’s 140,000+ registered members, who will decide whether Laporta’s proven leadership outweighs the fresh promises offered by his challengers.
Whether temporary or tactical, Laporta’s resignation signals another defining chapter in Barcelona’s post-Messi era, where leadership off the field is as crucial as performances on it.
