Barcelona have confirmed the last three candidates who will run in the next hugely important presidential election on January 24.
Joan Laporta, who is fighting for a second term after leading the club between 2003 and 2010, Victor Font and Toni Freixa will be the picks on the ballot. Emili Rousaud withdrew her candidacy during the validation process.
Where Laporta has a strong record to show for himself and Font has been particularly pragmatic about the issues facing Barcelona, Rousaud had made unrealistic transfer promises during his campaign to sign Neymar and another unnamed superstar.
At one point, Font had said any candidate making such commitments did not come up with a “credible proposal” due to the club’s “critical” financial situation.
Laporta and Font are the two favorites in this presidential election, Freixa being the outsider.
Laporta oversaw Barca’s transformation in the 2000s, with the club winning six trophies in 2009. He has a strong relationship with Lionel Messi, whose future at Camp Nou is subject to immense uncertainty and has promised an overhaul of La Masia.
Victor Font also “These days I talk more with Xavi than with my own wife.”
– Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) January 14, 2021
Besides his realistic approach, Font has focused his campaign on his relationship with Barca legend Xavi and bringing him back to the club in a key title – a graphic detailing his plans revealed Xavi was installed as “general manager”.
Freixa is a lower key candidate. He comes with a wealth of experience, having served on Barcelona’s board under several different presidents and is not one to get caught up in politics or unrealistic promises. He also finished last in the 2015 election.
Messi refused to get involved in the electoral process and did not approve or even speak directly to any of the candidates beforehand. He said in his historic La Sexta interview in December that he was not even sure he would vote.
Learn more about the candidates here and what Rousaud was offering until his withdrawal.
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