Barcelona Election Storm: Victor Font Draws a Line Under Deco Future at Camp Nou

As Barcelona edge closer to another defining presidential election, the political temperature inside the club is rising fast. This time, the focus is not only on the future of the boardroom, but also on the men shaping the sporting direction of the team. At the centre of the latest debate stands Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, who has been handed a clear and public warning by presidential candidate Victor Font.

Font, who is once again challenging incumbent president Joan Laporta, has made it clear that if he wins the upcoming election, Deco will not remain in his role. It is a statement that cuts straight to the heart of Barcelona’s internal power structure and hints at significant changes should the presidency change hands.

Barcelona Preparing for a Crucial Presidential Election

Barcelona are entering one of the most politically charged periods in their recent history. Presidential elections are scheduled for next month, with members set to vote while the team is still fighting on multiple fronts in La Liga and the Champions League.

Joan Laporta, who returned to office in 2021 with a convincing 54% of the vote, is seeking another term. Back then, he defeated Victor Font and Toni Freixa, promising stability and recovery after a turbulent financial period. Now, Laporta faces a familiar cast of challengers, including Font, Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana and Joan Camprubí.

Laporta has already begun to outline his case for continuity. Speaking to RAC1, the current president described the past year as one of recovery, insisting that difficult and often unpopular decisions were necessary to steady the club. He portrayed his leadership as resilient, shaped by pressure and resistance from rivals, institutions and even internal forces.

For Laporta, the message is simple: the project is working, and it deserves time to mature.

Victor Font’s Vision: Flick Stays, Deco Goes

Victor Font, however, sees things very differently. The former presidential candidate has been increasingly vocal in recent weeks, outlining a clear alternative vision for Barcelona’s future. One of the most striking elements of that vision is his stance on Deco.

Font has confirmed that while he would keep Hansi Flick as head coach, he would remove Deco from his role as sporting director. In Font’s view, the current sporting structure does not fully align with Flick’s needs, nor does it reflect the transparency he believes Barcelona should stand for.

Speaking to RAC1, Font explained that Deco is too closely tied to Laporta and to Alejandro Echevarria, a figure who, despite holding no official position, is widely believed to wield considerable influence behind the scenes. Font’s criticism taps into long-standing concerns among sections of the fanbase about informal power networks operating within the club.

For Font, change is not just about personnel, but about reshaping how decisions are made at Barcelona.

Deco’s Role at Barcelona Under the Spotlight

Deco was appointed as Barcelona’s sporting director in 2023 on a three-year deal, stepping into a role that carries enormous responsibility at a club with Barcelona’s expectations. Since then, he has worked closely with Flick following the German coach’s appointment as Xavi’s successor.

On the pitch, results have largely supported Deco’s position. Under Flick, Barcelona have lifted two Spanish Super Cups, reclaimed the La Liga title and added the Copa del Rey to the trophy cabinet. Recruitment and squad planning have shown greater coherence, even as financial constraints continue to shape every decision.

Off the pitch, however, Deco has become a symbol of Laporta’s inner circle. For opponents like Font, that association is reason enough to push for a clean break.

Hansi Flick Publicly Backs Deco

While Font has drawn his line in the sand, Hansi Flick has done the opposite. The Barcelona coach has spoken warmly about his working relationship with Deco, offering a strong public endorsement at a pre-match press conference.

Flick praised the trust and shared philosophy between the two, emphasising how rare it is for a coach to feel such alignment with a sporting director. He highlighted the calm and freedom he experiences in his role, suggesting that Deco’s approach allows football decisions to take priority over politics.

Those comments are significant. In a club where internal harmony is often fragile, Flick’s backing strengthens Deco’s position and complicates Font’s argument that change is necessary for sporting success.

Lionel Messi and the Politics of Nostalgia

No Barcelona election cycle would be complete without the name Lionel Messi, and Victor Font has not shied away from addressing the club legend’s future. Font has previously stated that Messi would be the first person he contacts if elected president, and he has now confirmed that discussions with Messi’s inner circle have already taken place.

Font was careful to draw a contrast with Laporta’s previous campaign, accusing the current president of using Messi symbolically to win votes. He insists he would not repeat that approach, instead focusing on rebuilding trust and repairing relationships damaged during Messi’s departure.

Crucially, Font suggested that Messi is unlikely to return to Barcelona under Laporta, a claim that adds emotional weight to the election narrative and underlines how deeply intertwined politics and sentiment remain at the club.

Timing, Tension and What Comes Next for Barcelona

The election is scheduled for March 15, a date that has already drawn criticism from Font. Barcelona are set to face Sevilla in La Liga on the same day, with a Champions League last-16 second leg just three days later. Font argues that the timing favours Laporta and risks distracting the team at a decisive moment in the season.

Laporta, for his part, appears unfazed. His camp believes stability, recent success and continuity will resonate with voters who are wary of further upheaval.

For Barcelona members, the choice is a familiar one: trust the current leadership to see its project through, or embrace Font’s promise of structural reform, even if that means parting ways with figures like Deco.

A Club at a Crossroads

The warning sent to Deco is about more than one man’s job. It reflects a broader struggle over Barcelona’s identity, governance and future direction. With Victor Font challenging the status quo and Joan Laporta defending his legacy, the coming weeks promise intense debate both inside and outside Camp Nou.

One thing is certain: whoever wins the presidency will inherit a club still balancing success on the pitch with deep-rooted political tension off it. And in that balance, the fate of Deco has become a powerful symbol of what kind of Barcelona might emerge next.