Joan Laporta has resigned as president of Barcelona in a procedural step required by club statutes, paving the way for his re-election later this year. The 62-year-old, who took office in March 2021 after securing 54% of the vote, steps down after nearly five years in charge.
Vice-president Rafa Yuste will serve as interim president for the next three and a half months, with Laporta aiming to reclaim the role at the ballot box and return to office on 1 July. He is widely considered the favourite against long-time rival Victor Font, as well as former club executive Xavier Vilajoana and economist Marc Ciria, who have also confirmed their candidacies.
Around 100,000 Barcelona members aged 18 or older with at least one year of membership are eligible to vote. The club confirmed the election will be held across multiple venues, including Barcelona's facilities, the Catalan provincial capitals of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida, and Andorra la Vella. Postal voting, which was allowed on an exceptional basis in the 2021 elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will not be permitted this time.
Laporta's latest tenure has been marked by significant events, including Lionel Messi's departure to Paris Saint-Germain and the emergence of 18-year-old La Masia graduate Lamine Yamal. Off the pitch, Barcelona returned to the Camp Nou in November after two and a half years of renovations, though capacity remains limited as work continues.
