Joan Laporta Secures Landslide Barcelona Election Victory and Addresses Potential Return for Lionel Messi

Joan Laporta secures 68% of the vote to remain Barcelona president, vowing an unstoppable future while keeping the door open for Lionel Messi's return.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 3:13 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

A Decisive Mandate for Continued Catalan Leadership

Joan Laporta has solidified his grip on the presidency of FC Barcelona after securing a resounding victory in Sunday’s club elections. The 63-year-old incumbent claimed just over 68% of the total vote, equivalent to 32,934 ballots, comfortably defeating challenger Victor Font. According to the official announcement from the Catalan giants, this victory grants Laporta a further five-year term, scheduled to officially commence on July 1. This re-election follows a brief period where Laporta stepped down in accordance with club statutes to seek a new mandate, ultimately resulting in a landslide that he believes will make the organization "unstoppable" on the global stage.

The Enduring Legacy and Potential Return of Lionel Messi

In the immediate aftermath of the vote, the conversation quickly turned toward the potential return of club icon Lionel Messi. The Argentine legend, who concluded a two-decade stint at the Camp Nou in 2021, is currently playing for Inter Miami, but his ties to Barcelona remain a central theme of Laporta’s administration. According to Laporta, Messi will always maintain a connection to the club in whatever capacity he chooses to pursue in the future. The president reiterated that the institution’s doors are permanently open to the 38-year-old, stressing that Messi’s presence would only serve to strengthen and bring further greatness to the historic club.

A Challenging Campaign for the Opposition

The election results marked a second consecutive defeat for Victor Font, the tech magnate who also lost out to Laporta in the 2021 cycle. Font managed to tally 14,385 votes, roughly 30% of the total, following a campaign that included a highly contentious final debate. According to Font, while his team is saddened by the loss and their inability to implement their vision for club transformation, they fully accept the democratic outcome. The challenger offered his congratulations to the president-elect and his board of directors, noting the difficulty of competing against Laporta’s established influence during a period of on-field success.