Why Joan Laporta Has ‘Resigned’ as Barcelona President as Elections Loom – Explained

Joan Laporta Resigns, but Not Really: Why Barcelona’s President Has Stepped Aside Ahead of Elections

At first glance, the headline feels seismic. Joan Laporta has resigned as Barcelona president. For a club that has lived through institutional chaos, financial turmoil and endless political intrigue over the past decade, the word “resignation” naturally sets alarm bells ringing. But scratch beneath the surface and a very different picture emerges.

Laporta’s decision to step down is not a dramatic surrender, nor an admission of failure. It is, instead, a calculated and compulsory move rooted in Barcelona’s statutes — a procedural reset designed to clear the runway for one of the most important presidential elections in the club’s modern history.

With elections scheduled for March 15, Laporta is effectively pressing pause on his presidency in order to ask the socios for something crucial: renewed trust.

Laporta Steps Down to Trigger the Election Battle

Barcelona’s statutes are clear, if somewhat theatrical. Any sitting president who wishes to stand again must resign once elections are formally called. The logic is simple: no incumbent should be able to campaign while holding the full power of the presidency. No access to club resources, no advantage of visibility, no blurred line between governance and politics.

And so, Laporta’s “resignation” is less an exit and more a reset button.

By stepping aside, he has officially triggered the electoral process and opened the door to a new contest for control of the club. It also allows him to stand as a candidate once again, seeking what would be his third distinct mandate as Barcelona president — after his celebrated first reign from 2003 to 2010, and his crisis-management return in 2021.

Importantly, this move places Laporta on equal footing with his challengers, at least on paper. From this point forward, he is no longer “the president,” but a candidate asking for votes.

Who Runs Barcelona Now? The Role of the Management Commission

Despite the symbolism of Laporta’s departure, Barcelona has not been left leaderless. In his absence, a management commission has been installed to oversee the club’s day-to-day affairs until the election concludes.

The interim body is headed by Rafa Yuste, Laporta’s long-time ally and the current sporting vice-president. Yuste is a familiar figure inside the club’s corridors of power, widely seen as a stabilising presence rather than a political operator.

The commission’s remit is deliberately limited. It cannot make transformative decisions, sign major contracts or steer long-term strategy. Its job is to keep the lights on, maintain neutrality and ensure the club functions smoothly while the political campaign unfolds.

For Laporta, this arrangement is ideal. The club remains in safe hands, while he is free to campaign without accusations of institutional interference.

Víctor Font and the Four Rivals Lining Up

FBL-ESP-CORRUPTION-TRIAL

Laporta enters the race as the clear favourite, but this will not be a coronation. The field of challengers is deeper than in 2021, and the opposition senses an opportunity.

The most prominent name is Víctor Font, who once again positions himself as Laporta’s chief rival. Font finished second in the 2021 election, collecting 16,679 votes against Laporta’s commanding 30,184. Since then, he has not disappeared. Instead, he has spent years refining his message, building networks and presenting himself as the face of a more modern, technocratic Barcelona.

Font’s platform remains rooted in governance reform, financial sustainability and a long-term sporting vision. He has often criticised Laporta’s reliance on short-term “economic levers,” arguing that they mortgage the future in exchange for present stability.

Joining Font are Marc Ciria, Xavier Vilajoana and Joan Camprubí. All three have announced their intention to run, adding layers of complexity to the race. However, history suggests not all will make it to the ballot.

The Signature Gauntlet: First Test of Real Support

Declaring candidacy is only the opening act. The true test comes with signature collection — a uniquely Barcelona ritual that often determines who is serious and who is symbolic.

Each candidate must collect 2,321 valid signatures from club members to officially stand in the election. This requirement applies to everyone, including Laporta himself. It is designed to ensure that only candidates with genuine grassroots backing make it through.

In previous elections, this stage has claimed many casualties. Pre-candidates with loud voices but shallow support often fall away quietly once the numbers are counted.

This year, the signature race will be especially revealing. It will offer the first concrete measurement of anti-Laporta sentiment within the socios. If multiple challengers struggle to reach the threshold, it will strengthen the narrative that Laporta remains the dominant political force at Camp Nou.

Camp Nou, Finances and the Weight of Concrete Promises

Any Barcelona election inevitably revolves around the stadium. The redevelopment of Camp Nou — ambitious, expensive and politically charged — will be front and centre of the campaign.

Laporta will argue that he is the architect of progress, the man who navigated impossible finances to keep the project alive. He will present continuity as essential, insisting that only his leadership can deliver the finished stadium by 2027 without destabilising the sporting project.

His rivals will see it differently. Delays, rising costs and the controversial financial mechanisms used to fund construction will all come under scrutiny. Expect debates over transparency, long-term debt and whether Barcelona have sacrificed future flexibility for short-term relief.

The stadium is not just concrete and steel. It is a symbol. Whoever controls its narrative controls much of the election.

The Messi Factor: Emotion Still Matters

Beyond spreadsheets and infrastructure, Barcelona politics is always emotional. And no emotion runs deeper than Lionel Messi.

While a full playing return feels increasingly unlikely, the possibility of Messi rejoining the club in some capacity — ambassador, farewell season, or symbolic role — remains a powerful campaign tool.

Laporta has a complicated history with Messi. He presided over both Messi’s greatest triumphs and his painful departure in 2021. Whether fairly or not, many socios still associate Laporta with Messi’s identity as a Barcelona icon.

Rivals may question whether Laporta’s words on Messi are realistic or merely nostalgic bait. Either way, Messi’s name will echo throughout the campaign.

A Defining Moment for Barcelona’s Future

FBL-ESP-JOAN GAMPER-BARCELONA-COMO

For Joan Laporta, this election is deeply personal. His first presidency delivered the greatest era in Barcelona’s history. His second came at a moment of near-collapse. Now, he asks for a third chapter — one focused not on rescue, but on completion.

His 2021 victory was powered by hope and memory. This time, he runs on results: financial stabilisation, competitive squads, and a club that has survived its darkest days.

The absence of figures like Toni Freixa from the race could consolidate opposition support around Víctor Font, potentially making this a closer contest than last time. The coming weeks will be filled with debates, interviews, promises and subtle political manoeuvres.

Why Laporta’s ‘Resignation’ Is Really a Statement of Intent

So why has Joan Laporta “resigned” as Barcelona president?

Because the rules demand it. Because the campaign demands clarity. And because Laporta believes that when the socios are asked again, they will choose continuity over change.

This is not an exit. It is a challenge.

On March 15, Barcelona’s members will decide whether Laporta is the man to lead them into their new stadium and a new era — or whether the club is ready to turn the page once more.

One thing is certain: at Barcelona, even a resignation is never just a resignation.