Joan Laporta officially starts his fourth term as FC Barcelona president, marking a significant moment in the club's leadership. His relationship with LaLiga's Javier Tebas has notably evolved.
Joan Laporta has officially commenced his fourth term as president of FC Barcelona, following a ceremonial event on July 1, 2026. This new chapter comes after he won the elections held on March 15, and it is set to last until 2031. Laporta’s presidency is characterized by two distinct periods: the first from 2003 to 2010 and the second beginning in 2021, which was briefly interrupted by recent electoral contests.
In a symbolic transition, Rafa Yuste, Laporta’s childhood friend and former sporting vice president, took over formally for just a few hours before expressing his ambitions to reclaim leadership. “I would like to be the next president; I not only do not rule it out but I would like to,” Yuste stated during an interview with Rac 1.
The ceremony was notably exclusive, designed to limit media access and control communications. Attendees were invited guests who watched the proceedings remotely from another location, reflecting a trend among political figures to manage public perception tightly.
Among those present was Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, whose relationship with Laporta has undergone significant changes since their contentious past. In 2021, Tebas faced widespread criticism for his role in Lionel Messi’s departure from Barcelona due to financial fair play regulations that prevented Messi’s registration with the club.
Once viewed as an adversary by many Barça supporters for enforcing these rules, Tebas now finds himself allied with Laporta against mutual rival Florentino Pérez of Real Madrid. “The friend Tebas,” as Laporta referred to him during the ceremony, signifies a shift towards collaboration amidst shared challenges within Spanish football.
Tebas acknowledged their previous differences but emphasized that such disagreements are natural when defending one’s beliefs. He remarked on the importance of maintaining institutional respect despite past conflicts. Following formal announcements regarding board changes at Barcelona—including resignations and new appointments—Tebas extended his best wishes for Barça’s future success.
The LaLiga president praised Barcelona for its recent achievements in sports and infrastructure development, particularly referencing ongoing renovations at Camp Nou. He noted that the club now stands on equal footing with any other team in Spain regarding economic sustainability—a stark contrast to its financial struggles just five years prior.
The ceremony also featured notable absences; Rafael Louzán, president of the Spanish Football Federation, missed this significant event due to prior commitments in Madrid but was represented by Joan Soteras from the Catalan Football Federation. The gathering included various institutional representatives alongside key figures from FC Barcelona.
Even coach Hansi Flick made an appearance after interrupting his vacation to attend this pivotal moment for the club. However, there was noticeable absence from basketball coaching staff following Xavier Pascual’s anticipated resignation earlier this year.
This transition marks not only a new era for Laporta but also reflects broader dynamics within Spanish football governance as clubs navigate complex relationships amidst evolving financial landscapes.
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