Barça's Presidency Scrap Down to Three: Laporta Leads, But Flick's Heroes Might Not Save Him
Barcelona's presidential election race has narrowed to three candidates: Joan Laporta (8,169 signatures), Víctor Font (5,144), and Marc Ciria (2,844), after others failed to meet the 2,337-signature threshold. Laporta is the favourite amid Hansi Flick's successful tenure, but rivals are pushing hard on issues like finances, Camp Nou renovations, and Messi's exit. Voting happens on March 15, with on-pitch form like Lamine Yamal's exploits in focus.
Barça's Presidency Scrap Down to Three: Laporta Leads, But Flick's Heroes Might Not Save Him
Picture this: Barcelona are staring down a 4-0 aggregate deficit against Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semis, with Hansi Flick preaching about making the impossible possible. Off the pitch, it's much the same – a presidential election that's whittled down to a tense three-way tussle. As reported by Sam Marsden at ESPN Spain, the race for the Camp Nou throne is heating up faster than Lamine Yamal's right boot after his first hat-trick.
The Survivors: Who Made the Cut?
Out of six hopefuls, only Joan Laporta, Víctor Font, and Marc Ciria scraped together enough signatures from the socios to stay in the hunt. We're talking a magic 2,337 threshold – no small ask for the Blaugrana faithful.
Laporta romped home with a whopping 8,169 nods, proving he's still got that Midas touch from his previous stints (2003-2010 and 2021 onwards). Font, who came runner-up last time around, wasn't far behind on 5,144, while Ciria snuck in with 2,844. The also-rans? Xavier Vilajoana limped to 1,593, Daniel Juan managed a measly 84, and William Maddock barely registered with nine. Ouch – talk about a signature slaughter.
Laporta kicked this whole circus off in February by resigning just to throw his hat back in. Cheeky, right? With Flick's side smashing it over the last 18 months – think Yamal outshining teen versions of Messi and Ronaldo – the locals reckon he's the punter's pick.
Frontrunner or False Dawn?
Don't write off the challengers just yet, mate. Font and Ciria have drummed up proper backing, and get this: their signatures plus Vilajoana's outnumber Laporta's haul. Whispers of an 'anti-Laporta' pact are swirling like post-match pints.
Five years back, Font pushed Laporta close, and now with Ciria in the mix, it's no cakewalk. Sure, on-pitch form under Flick – who's begging for more than just Yamal to flip that Atleti tie – gives Laporta momentum. But elections at Barça are as much about the wallet as the whiteboard.
What's Really on the Ballot?
With voting day locked for March 15, the next 12 days will be a proper barney. Results matter, yeah – stability and silverware under Flick have the socios purring. But the real jaw-jaw? Spotify Camp Nou's endless revamp, the club's dodgy finances, and summer shopping sprees.
No one's dropping transfer bombs yet – classic election dodge – though outgoing Vilajoana floated Harry Kane as his dream signing. And let's not forget the Messi elephant: Font and Ciria are hammering Laporta for letting the GOAT walk in 2021. A comeback? Pie in the sky, but it stirs the pot.
Yamal's rise – eclipsing young Ronaldo and Messi, per the chatter – has everyone asking if Barça are too reliant on the kid. Flick's preview of the Atleti second leg? Pure motivational gold: 'We need more than one miracle worker.' Same vibe for the presidency, eh?
Bottom line: Laporta's got the edge, but this ain't over. Grab your voting card, socios – or just your remote for the Copa drama. Either way, it's set to be a belter.