JAKARTA - Joan Laporta has been re-elected as Barcelona president for the next five years after defeating Victor Font in the election on Sunday, March 15, 2026, local time.
Laporta won easily, obtaining 32,934 of 48,480 votes from club members (socios), while Font received 14,385 votes, 984 blank votes, and 177 votes were declared invalid.
"First of all, I want to say a few words of thanks to this incredible club. It's nice to see that members can still vote for who represents us."
"This spirit is a joy, it makes the club special. So, thank you to Barcelona and all the members who voted today in a democratic show," Laporta said after his victory was confirmed to cheers.
The total number of votes cast represents a participation rate of 42.34 percent, with 114,504 members eligible to participate in the election.
Current and former presidents, coaches and players were among those who cast their vote at Camp Nou, including Hansi Flick and members of the men's first-team squad.
"The result itself is certain and gives us a lot of strength - so much strength that it will make us unstoppable."
"We will continue to defend Barcelona against everything and everyone. The coming years will be thrilling. It will be the best years of our lives," said Laporta.
The election coincided with Barcelona's 5-2 win over Sevilla in LaLiga, with Manager Hansi Flick and many players, including Raphinha, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, casting their votes after the win.
"I'm not going to tell you who (I'll choose) because it's a secret. It's a special day. I saw it on television, in my office, in the stadium, the election is underway, it's special. I think everyone is also happy, it's a great day," said Flick in a press conference shortly before the vote.
Previously, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is currently on loan to Girona, had a shameful moment when he was unable to cast a vote because his name was not on the list of voters.
All Barcelona players become members when they join the club, but it is their responsibility to renew their membership, which the German had not done before the election.
Barcelona's injured women's team, Aitana Bonmati and Laia Aleixandri, also cast their votes although most of their teammates were unable to cast their ballots as they played away against Deportivo de La Coruna on Sunday.
Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez also voted - just days after calling Laporta a liar for his role in Lionel Messi's failed return to the club in 2023 - as did former Inter Miami CF midfielder Sergio Busquets.
Camp Nou was one of five polling stations set up on the day, with members also able to cast their vote in Tarragona, Girona, Lleida, and Andorra.
The result is a repeat of 2021, when Laporta also beat Font convincingly to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu as Barcelona president.
It marked the start of Laporta's second term as the club's highest leader. He previously served as Barcelona President between 2003 and 2010, overseeing the appointment of Pep Guardiola and the club's first treble in 2009, before returning to the position 11 years later.
Since Flick's return, Barcelona have won two LaLiga titles, while the women's team has won three Champions Leagues. However, the success of the men's team under Flick is the foundation of his campaign.
Flick led Barcelona to a domestic treble last season - LaLiga, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana) - and the first Champions League semi-final since 2019, while they remain in good position in LaLiga and the Champions League again this season.
Meanwhile, Laporta has taken over the redevelopment of Camp Nou, with the first two levels of the stadium having been fully renovated to operate for the first time against Sevilla on Sunday, increasing capacity to more than 60,000 as work continues on the third level.
Font hopes to sway members to vote for him by claiming that the club's financial situation has not improved under Laporta - who says it has improved - as well as the return to Camp Nou has been repeatedly postponed and the way to deal with Messi's departure.
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