The Barca presidential election is scheduled for 15/3, with Joan Laporta and Victor Font as the two remaining candidates after the signature collection round. One week before the election, the two candidates participated in their first live debate, organized by Spanish media group Grupo Godo.

The debate's atmosphere became stifling when statements published in La Vanguardia the previous day by former Barca head coach Xavi completely overshadowed the intended core campaign topics of sports, society, and economics. The former midfielder claimed Messi had intended to return to Camp Nou in 2023, but Laporta "reneged" due to fears of his power being undermined.

Xavi and Messi are both Barca icons. Photo: EFE

Laporta did not shy away, instead maintaining the stance he revealed in his book, "Asi salvamos al Barca" (How we saved Barca), released on 24/2. "When Messi could not renew his contract due to financial reasons, Xavi came to me in mid-3/2023 saying he wanted to return," Laporta said. "I sent the contract to his father, Jorge. But by May, he told me Messi would face too much pressure if he came back here, and they chose Inter Miami."

The former Barca President also pledged to honor Messi with a statue and a tribute match once the new stadium is completed. Font, who Xavi supports in this election, immediately retaliated.

"This is an issue of credibility; Messi also thinks similarly to what Xavi said," Font stated. "Should we trust a President with a history of lying? One day Messi will tell the full truth. Severing ties with the greatest player in history for personal gain, then trying to mend them with a statue and a tribute match, is shameful. Barca fans suffered deep emotional wounds losing their greatest legend."

"In 2021, Laporta said Messi would only stay if he won the election, but in reality, he was the only one without a plan," Font continued. "Barca does not belong to any individual President; Barca belongs to 150,000 members. When Messi cried, we all cried. Cutting ties with Messi only to then shake hands with Florentino Perez makes Barca fans yearn for change. This former President is taking it upon himself to categorize who is a good fan and who is a bad fan. Thousands of Barca fans are grieving because the club is run on lies."

This attack angered Laporta, escalating the debate early and prompting him to call Font a "threat to Barca's sports project."

"The liar is you," Laporta retorted. "You have been lying for years. You spread rumors that we would turn Barca into a public limited company, which is a blatant lie. I never said Messi, Xavi, or you were bad Barca fans. You are just a technocrat hiding behind a coach. You are disrespecting the employees working at the club and acting as a loudspeaker for dirty campaigns from the opposition, exemplified by turning the Negreira case into a joke."

The candidates aimed for their messages to resonate with viewers and listeners, who served as a "jury." Font made sure to deliver a final statement on this topic before "judge" Gemma Herrero, responsible for controlling the candidates' speaking time, moved to another question.

"While you were busy eating pasta and cold cuts, I was proposing solutions," Font said. "You do not have a monopoly on the 'Monopoly' game at Barca. Even those you dislike still carry Barca in their hearts. I do not carry Barca in my wallet. Throughout years of fighting for change at Barca, I did so because I believe in my ideals. I will continue to fight so Barca belongs to its fans, not to those who divide people into good and bad factions."

Font (left) and Laporta during a heated debate. Photo: EFE

Also in the La Vanguardia interview, Xavi claimed the most powerful figure influencing Barca's operations was Alejandro Echevarria, Laporta's former brother-in-law. According to the former Barca coach, Echevarria destabilized the locker room, whispering to players that Xavi himself wanted to sell them. This individual also, on behalf of Laporta, "sacked" Xavi from the Barca head coach position in 2024, despite previously assuring confidence in him.

When asked about this topic, Laporta responded that parting ways with Xavi was one of the three most difficult decisions he had to make. "Messi, Ronaldo Koeman, and Xavi, two of whom played during my first presidential term, and these are decisions a leader must make. They are legends of Barca's philosophy. The club cannot be run solely by soulless numbers on a computer; Barca is emotion. Barca stands above all players and Presidents," Laporta said.

"I was surprised and heartbroken," Laporta clarified. "When I read Xavi's statements, I thought of Hansi Flick. Being Barca President is demanding, and I did what was necessary. With Xavi, I felt we would fail, but with Flick, I believe we will win. I understand Xavi is hurt, but the reality is that with the same squad, Flick is winning."

Laporta also suggested Xavi was manipulated by Font, and the attack on Echevarria aimed to harm him. "Echevarria defended Xavi to the end. He has an understanding with sports director Deco, is intelligent and brave in resolving issues. Echevarria looks after the stability of the locker room, and the harmony is showing results. In fact, the team is happy and wants to complete its recovery process after years of misery," he said.

Font praised Xavi for "courageously speaking the truth, which those who left the club before did not do." This candidate added: "Echevarria was not elected by anyone, and ideologically, he has no connection to the club's values. We believe the majority of members will choose change."

"Under Flick's leadership, everything is running well. But we need another step to win the Champions League and prevent Real Madrid from dominating. The sports situation is not just about men's football. The basketball team is exhausted, and in the women's team, 6 players are nearing the end of their contracts without knowing their future. We have heard throughout the term that the finances are stable, but the reality is we still cannot register new players," Font concluded on the topic of Messi and Xavi.

The debate between Laporta and Font then continued with topics concerning the sports project, economic issues, and the club's future ownership model. Laporta sought to highlight achievements during his second term as Barca President, while Font pointed out weaknesses and shortcomings.

The social aspect was largely neglected after over one and a half hours of debate, with Font only briefly mentioning a proposal for discounts for loyal members. The clash between two opposing styles ended with a single, forced handshake, in an atmosphere thick with accusations of lies and tension, as "old guard" figures like Messi and Xavi became the basis for arguments, rather than concrete solutions for Barca's future.