FC Barcelona underwent a transformation when Joan Laporta became president of the club in 2021, after former president Josep Maria Bartomeu stepped down following a horrendous run in charge of the Catalan club.
Laporta was expected to bring change and return the club to winning ways, and he has succeeded to a fair extent. It has not come without its disappointments, though, none bigger than the unceremonious exit of Lionel Messi.
Back in 2021, Laporta’s closest rival in the presidential race was Victor Font, [and the 53-year-old has already started laying the foundations for 2026 with his group](https://semprebarca.com/victor-font-announces-candidacy-for-2026-barcelona-elections-at-nosaltres-barca-launch/), ‘Nosaltres Barca’. In an interview with [Mundo Deportivo](https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20251119/1002571705/victor-font-gane-elecciones-primero-hare-sera-llamar-messi.html), Font highlighted what he thinks needs to change at the club.
**“Basically, the way the club is managed. As I said, the model of “I” is very personalist and full of improvisation. The stadium is the latest clear example. Thankfully, we will finally return there on Saturday, but it is an example of improvisation. Surrounding yourself only with people you trust and not with talented people who might not be familiar or part of your inner circle, not listening, not being open to criticism, not planning properly, not leveraging the club’s potential, breaking relationships with club legends who represent part of our identity — Messi, Xavi, Saras, Barrufet, Víctor Tomàs, and so on — because they do not think like you. That makes no sense.”**
This “I” versus “We” model is something Font has been highlighting in all his speeches so far. He believes there needs to be a change in how the club is being governed by Laporta and those close to him in the leadership group.
Font is not wrong. There have been many decisions during Laporta’s reign that have belied common sense. The appointment of Deco as the sporting director of the club ahead of the much-accomplished Mateu Alemany was a strange call.
It remains to be seen how Font will campaign to convince the socios that he deserves to be next Barcelona president. The next few months should provide more clarity, and let us wait and see how things play out.