Joan Laporta Elected Barcelona President For A Second Time

Laporta polled more than 54 percent of the total votes cast, seeing off challenges from Victor Font and Toni Freixa.

Laporta previously served as Barcelona president between 2003 and 2010 in what proved to be one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

Barcelona won four La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies during Laporta’s first helm at the club. He brought the likes of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o to the Catalan giants and also appointed Pep Guardiola as manager to kickstart a period of sustained dominance in both Spanish and European football.

The 58-year-old succeeds Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October, with the club mired in chaos as star player Lionel Messi threatened to quit. Messi’s contract expires this summer and one of Laporta’s main targets is to convince the six-time Ballon d’or winner to stay put.

Defeated candidate Font accepted the outcome of the elections in good faith, telling TV3: “I think it has been a constructive campaign. It is good for the institution that we celebrate a democratic day like today and that we congratulate the winner.

“Obviously, the results are not we wanted, but I want to thank thousands of Catalans who have supported us and given us their trust.

“I believe that the context in which the club finds itself has led to a rebound effect. We were fighting against a well-known former president. Against that it has been very complicated

“I will continue working to ensure that the Barca of the future is as we believe it should be. We have to reflect and digest the result, but the aims of helping to transform the club continues.”