The results of Barca's presidential election for the 2026-2031 term, held on 15/3, confirmed Laporta's position as the leading candidate. A total of 48,480 club members cast their votes, representing 42.34% of Barca's total membership. After 100% of the votes were counted, 32,934 voters (68.18%) supported the 63-year-old lawyer, compared to 14,385 votes (29.78%) for Font. Additionally, there were 984 blank votes and 177 invalid votes.

Laporta celebrated his victory among supporters after the results of the Barca Presidential election for the 2026-2031 term were announced. Photo: FC Barcelona

This election recorded the fourth-highest voter turnout in Barca's history by volume. However, it marked the lowest turnout since 2015, when 47,270 members voted. Conversely, in terms of voter percentage, it was the second-lowest participation rate for a Barca presidential election in history. The lowest was in 1997, with 34.38% turnout, when Josep Lluis Nunez was president. In 2021, when Laporta returned to the presidency, 55,611 members voted, representing 50.42% of Barca's total membership.

With this victory, Laporta begins his fourth term leading Barca, lasting until 2031, following his previous terms in 2003-2006, 2006-2010, and 2021-2026. This outcome confirms that he overcame all opposing ideologies during the 2026 election campaign.

Although candidates Marc Ciria and Xavi Vilajoana were eliminated in the signature collection round, turning the race into a two-horse contest between Laporta and Font, the opposition to the 63-year-old former president extended beyond Font's direct supporters. Groups backing Ciria and Vilajoana rallied behind Font. Even former President Josep Maria Bartomeu and former Vice President Jordi Moix leaned towards Font. Joan Camprubi, who did not officially run, also worked to unite "anti-Laporta" forces.

Despite his opponent's consistent calls for voters to choose between "the past" (Laporta) and "innovation" (Font), the significant margin of victory demonstrates strong support for Laporta among Barca members. As the lawyer once stated, he fought "one man against all" and ultimately secured a convincing win.

"There was a campaign from the losing side, based on division and confrontation," Laporta said after the official results. "The vast majority of members, a very large majority, voted for us to protect Barca against everyone and every force. This is recognition for what we have built. They have given us the strength to continue the work we started. This result makes us unstoppable."

Currently, Laporta will have a "co-management" phase with interim President Rafa Yuste, as per regulations, until his official inauguration on 1/7. Given their close relationship, the transition process and the implementation of transfer plans with Sporting Director Deco are expected to proceed smoothly.

This new term places significant responsibilities on Laporta's shoulders: completing the new Camp Nou stadium project by 2028, eliminating debt, and returning the club to La Liga's financial fair play "1:1" rule.

Laporta (center) at the inauguration of the new Camp Nou stadium in 11/2025. Photo: FC Barcelona

Laporta's journey leading Barca began in 1998, when he founded the opposition group L’Elefant Blau. He then became Barca president in 2003, a time when many still viewed the lawyer as a "disruptor" within the board.

In that initial confrontation, Laporta defeated Lluis Bassat, the consensus candidate who had gathered influential figures from politics (Miquel Roca i Junyent), economics (Salvador Alemany), and sports (Pep Guardiola).

Laporta left office in 2010 amidst a whirlwind of lawsuits regarding management accountability from his successor, Sandro Rosell. In 2021, he returned with a mission to save Barca from bankruptcy, and five years later, he once again affirmed his status as the club's "uncrowned king."

The Spanish newspaper El Pais once described Laporta: "Rebellious or innovative, but never conservative. Fortunate or precise, but never afraid. Laporta always knows how to present himself as an irreplaceable figure for Barca."

Laporta's 2026 campaign unfolded in two phases: before and after a complaint was filed with the National Court regarding suspected money laundering and illicit commissions related to the club's activities during the 2021-2026 term. Although Judge Santiago Pedraz dismissed the lawsuit, Laporta's anger was evident. From then on, he shifted his demeanor from passive to assertive, at times overly zealous, as demonstrated during a debate with candidate Font on Catalonia's TV3 television channel.

However, no election was more challenging than his defeat to Bartomeu in 2015. At that time, the power of Luis Enrique's team's treble, with the appeal of the trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, became an insurmountable "Mount Everest" for Laporta. He had no chance to overthrow the system built by the alliance of Sandro Rosell and Bartomeu.

This time, Laporta was protected by the club's sporting project. "Match results carry a lot of weight, and perhaps returning to Camp Nou does too. Many members are dissatisfied, but all of that is overshadowed by the team's performance," candidate Font analyzed his defeat to Laporta.

Even disputes over economic stability, which Laporta himself described as "excellent" in his book published in 2/2025 titled Asi salvamos al Barça (How we saved Barca), and which Font called a "disaster," did not shake the 1962-born leader's position.

An interview with former Barca coach Xavi Hernandez in La Vanguardia accusing Laporta of dishonesty during the final stretch of the presidential election, or the attempts by other candidates to leverage Messi, also failed to unseat him.

Candidate Ciria once drew attention by displaying a poster of the Argentine superstar with the slogan "Ganas de volver a verte" (I want to see you again). Font, meanwhile, asserted he had a plan to link the Messi brand with the Barca brand. However, from Miami, USA, Messi – who is always careful with making impactful statements – remained completely silent.

While opponents sought to use Messi against Laporta, the president quietly implemented a different plan, centered on Lamine Yamal. On 14/3, just before election day, the 18-year-old star posted a photo with Laporta. "He did it from the bottom of his heart. I was the first to be surprised when I saw Yamal's Instagram. He is a genius, I love him very much," Laporta shared.

Early on election day, 15/3, Laporta appeared surrounded by fans. He stayed at the polling area to welcome former midfielder Sergio Busquets and women's football star Aitana Bonmati as they exercised their membership rights.

Yamal's support was a key factor in Laporta's 2026 election victory. Photo: FC Barcelona

After attending the funeral of former President Enric Reyna, Laporta intended to walk from the Les Corts funeral home to Camp Nou stadium. However, he was forced to travel by oto as members surrounded the path to show their support. At the stadium, the newly elected president could not hide his emotion when casting his vote alongside Danny Cruyff, the widow of late legend Johan Cruyff, who was once his supreme advisor.

In contrast to the vibrant atmosphere, candidate Font's appearance was subdued. He did not arrive with former Xavi, his biggest support in this campaign, but only appeared before the media to complain that Laporta's former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria, deliberately caused confusion by accompanying Busquets to the polling station.

After a short break to watch the Barca - Sevilla match, Laporta officially began to "display" his strength. He welcomed prominent political figures such as former Catalonia leader Jordi Pujol and Spanish Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun. Numerous first-team Barca stars, following their resounding 5-2 victory over Sevilla, also came to vote, surrounding Laporta with hugs and cheers, including Yamal, Raphinha, Pedri, Olmo, Gavi, Araujo, as well as La Masia talents like Cubarsi, Casado, Bernal, and even coach Hansi Flick.

"Laporta is still Laporta, a man who always knows how to 'charm' the Barca community," Mundo Deportivo said about the newly elected president.

Compiled by Hoang Thong