Joan Laporta has been re-elected as the Barcelona president, following the elections held for the vacant post this past weekend. The 58-year-old previously looked over things from 2003 to 2010, enjoying two spells already as Barcelona president before he was replaced in 2010.
Laporta’s first reign saw the likes of Samuel Eto’o, David Villa, Ronaldinho and Deco. He was also the man to trust Pep Guardiola with the first team, that enabled the former player to play some of the most beautiful football that the world has ever seen with Barcelona during the 2010s.
Moreover, he was also the man responsible for getting UNICEF as the shirt sponsor for Barcelona that football fans still remember as a fond memory.
But the challenge this time around is much more difficult, and poses a serious amount of pressure on Laporta. Barcelona are currently in a billion Euros worth of debt, and while they are doing things right on the pitch at the moment, their form has been inconsistent throughout the campaign which is something that fans will hope to see sorted out.
The club’s reputation as a whole has also taken a hit with the Barcagate scandal prompting arrests, alongside the resignation and subsequent arrest of Josep Maria Bartomeu and the members of his cabinet.
Lastly, Laporta must convince Leo Messi to stay at Barcelona to truly make the fans feel secure about things at the club.
Having a lot of experience in running the same club before, Laporta’s appointment comes as a form of hope for the Barcelona fans and the staff at the club too. While the task at hand is challenging, there is a good reason to believe that the new President will be able to sort things out for the better since Barcelona needs a leader now more than ever.
