Joan Laporta took his campaign directly to the members this weekend, hosting a passionate rally in Sitges where he positioned himself as the only safe pair of hands to lead FC Barcelona.
Joan Laporta: “The Club Must Not Fall Into Inexperienced Hands”
Speaking to over 200 supporters at the Hotel Port Sitges Resort, the presidential candidate unveiled his slogan, “We Defend Barça,” pitching a message of continuity and stability against a backdrop of a fractured opposition.
The event featured a symbolic touch. Laporta received a replica of his own commemorative tile, which will soon join those of club legends like Johan Cruyff in the Passatge Johan Cruyff.
Alejandro Sacristán, son of former Barça player Eusebio, presented the tile, linking the candidate to the club’s rich history.
Laporta used the platform to defend his previous tenure and vision for the future. He declared the club is in a far stronger position now than it was half a decade ago.
“The club is objectively and indisputably better than five years ago,” he told the crowd. He credited this turnaround to relentless effort and placing the team’s crest above all else.
According to Laporta, Barça has recovered its financial footing, restored its institutional credibility, and reclaimed its place on the world stage.
He also took a clear swipe at his competitors. “The club must not fall into inexperienced hands,” he warned, advocating for professional management.
He highlighted the new Spotify Camp Nou project as a cornerstone of his plan and reaffirmed his commitment to defending the club’s Catalan identity and democratic values.
Meanwhile, the opposition remains in disarray. Rivals VÃctor Font, Marc Ciria, and Xavier Vilajoana have failed to unite, leaving Laporta in a commanding position.
A recent poll from the grassroots movement Som un Clam indicates a divided membership, but with a fragmented opposition, Laporta stands to benefit.
Font continues to push for modernization, describing a clash between Laporta’s “personalist” model and an alternative vision.
He has accused the former president of running on personality rather than substance.
However, with the challengers splitting the anti-Laporta vote, the current favorite appears poised for a comfortable path back to the presidency.
