Politics exists everywhere, ranging from a country to university and to even a sports club. “To build castles in the air” and to play with emotions of fans is generally attributed with a politician, and Joan Laporta is certainly not an exception.
With Barcelona’s next presidential election right around the corner in 2026, it’s time to rate Laporta’s tenure and what Culers think of him.
Every coin has 2 sides. There are some positives which happened during his 1st tenure. Thereafter, things went downhill during his 2nd tenure
(A) THE GLORIOUS GOLDEN YEARS (2003 – 2010)
- Joan Laporta started his presidential tenure for Barcelona in 2003. Barcelona won many titles during this tenure including 2 UEFA Champions League, 4 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, 3 Spanish Super Cups, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
- The LA MASIA gave the footballing world the future gems which changed the complexion and put Barca on almost on an immortal level. These names include Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets, Piqué, and a guy who then was about to awestruck the world and many would consider him the G.O.A.T by the name of Lionel Messi.
- Barcelona played front foot in the transfer market by signing some of the future inevitable legends including the likes of Samuel Et’o, Dani Alves, Ronaldinho, Gerard Pique.
- He then hired Pep Guardiola who redefined and reignited Barca’s traditional playing style of Tiki Taka. It was during this period in 2010 when Barca won the famous, mind boggling SEXTUPLE which no team in the history of LALIGA has been able to replicate.
- It is rightly said “A house built on sand will not stand.” Although these were the glory years, but the financial mismanagement caused leaks in the building of the club which eventually led to slow and deadly downfall of the club
(B) When the Ground Beneath Camp Nou Shook (2011 – Present)
- Despite partnering with famous brands like NIKE, UNICEF, the club’s total debt still grew over €400m. And as of June, 2025, the number has grown to over €670m.
- The only positive between 2011-2020 was the formation of legendary attacking trio MSN (Messi, Neymar, Suarez) who won the Champions league for Barcelona in 2015.
- Despite receiving a Record Transfer Fees of €222 million for Neymar from PSG, the amount was never invested properly and unfortunately huge signings with the noticeable names of Philippe Coutinho, Antoine Griezmann perished in the drain without any influence.
- The salt was added to the wounds of hearts of Millions of Culers when the icon of the club Lionel Messi had to leave the club in 2021 due to the financial constraints.
- There was a glimmer of hope, like a ray of sunshine in a dense forest when in 2022 Barcelona made some major signings, including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie. But reportedly each one of them accepted a major pay cut in their salary.
- La Masia gave many big names like Gavi, Balde, Cubarsi, Marc Casado and a breakthrough star Lamine Yamal. But some problems were still persistent.
- The dream of Camp Nou’ renovation was promised to be completed till November, 2024 and till the present day, a dream to return to home is still a dream.
- The financial crisis forced the club to do something which no one could have even imagined. Barcelona was compelled to sell Camp Nou’s grass and were renting out stadiums for private weddings, functions.
- As of June, 2025, Barcelona has yet to pay the salaries of many past team players like Samuel Umtiti, Philipe Coutinho, and former head coach Ronald Koeman.
- The financial constraints have really now become like an “Elephant in the room” unwilling to leave its dark shadow from the club. The club is not in alignment to achieve the 1:1 rule. This ultimately hinders the registration of the players. Dani Olmo, Gerard Martin, Pau Victor last season had to face the problem with La Liga even taking the matters to the court when somehow the club was able to register them. It was only Andreas Christensen’s long term injury which allowed the club to register the other signings. And this year Ter Stegen’s long term injury which allowed the club to register Marcus Rashford, Ronny Bardghiji.
- The financial constraints even cost the club to lose against their Arch Rivals in a race to sign Arda Guler. He was ready to join Barca but when Real Madrid offered €5 million more, they hijacked the deal and turned the tables.
“Laporta’s presidency is a tale of two eras — one of unparalleled sporting glory and another of desperate financial firefighting. If the first defines Barça as the best team in history, the second will define whether Barça can remain sustainable in the modern football economy.”
But every day is not a Sunday. With the arrival of Hansi Flick and Barca winning three domestic trophies last season without any big name signing, and with Camp Nou’ return almost near, the Culers are now optimistic and hoping that tides will turn again and the club will relive its golden era. Certainly, Culers desperately need a change and want a new person to be the face of the club who can turn the tides for them.
