Joan Laporta’s presidency has been a whirlwind of financial maneuvers, sporting triumphs, and relentless criticism
Four years ago, Joan Laporta stepped into a storm. FC Barcelona was drowning in a staggering €1.3 billion debt, its wage bill spiraling out of control, and its reputation as a footballing powerhouse hanging by a thread. Today, as Laporta marks 1,460 days in office, it’s hard to ignore the rollercoaster ride that has defined his tenure. From controversial financial decisions to rebuilding the team on and off the pitch, Laporta has been both celebrated and vilified. Yet, one thing is clear: his presidency has been anything but ordinary.
The financial crisis Laporta inherited was nothing short of catastrophic. To stabilize the club, he deployed what many now call the ‘palancas’—leveraging assets like TV rights and Barça Studios. These moves, while necessary, were far from universally popular. Selling 25% of Barça Studios to Socios.com and Orpheus Media for €200 million, for instance, raised eyebrows, especially when some funds failed to materialize as expected. Yet, these measures trimmed the debt and gave Barcelona breathing room to register new players. It was a gamble, and while far from perfect, it kept the club afloat in its darkest hour.
On the field, Laporta’s presidency has seen a mix of highs and lows. Under Xavi Hernández’s guidance, the team clinched a La Liga title and two Supercopa trophies, signaling a return to form. But the real story lies in Barcelona’s renewed focus on La Masia, the club’s famed youth academy. Financial constraints forced the club to look inward, giving young talents like Lamine Yamal and Fermín López a chance to shine. These players, nurtured through La Masia, are not just filling gaps—they’re becoming the heart of Barcelona’s future, a testament to Laporta’s commitment to the club’s roots.
Still, criticism has been relentless. Skeptics argue that the reliance on palancas is unsustainable, a short-term fix that mortgages the club’s future. Others question the lack of transparency surrounding some deals. And then there’s the pressure of expectation—a club like Barcelona is not measured by survival but by dominance, both domestically and in Europe. Laporta knows this all too well. His every decision is scrutinized, every setback magnified.
Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s a sense of cautious optimism. The team is competitive again, La Masia is thriving, and the financial outlook, while far from rosy, is no longer apocalyptic. Laporta’s presidency has been a masterclass in crisis management, albeit an imperfect one. Whether history will judge him as the savior or the gambler who played with Barcelona’s legacy remains to be seen. For now, he’s a man who refused to let the club sink, steering it through a tempest with determination and no small amount of risk.
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