There is no doubt that Joan Laporta has been one of the most prominent presidents of Barcelona. The Catalan lawyer enjoyed a fairly successful first spell as head of the club between 2003 and 2010, but power took its toll and his departure ended up being somewhat controversial, as he was implicated in the spying scandal involving several members of the board of directors. After several years dealing with other matters, in 2021 he decided to run again for election to succeed Josep María Bartomeu, who had been ousted in a vote of no confidence. The Catalan won the election again, ahead of Víctor Font and Toni Freixa.
During his first term as president of Barcelona, the football team won a large number of titles, including four LaLiga trophies, one Copa del Rey, three Spanish Super Cups, two Champions Leagues, one European Super Cup, and one Club World Cup. With him at the helm and Pep Guardiola on the bench, the club achieved its first historic sextuple, proving that the Culés were experiencing one of the golden ages of their history, with Leo Messi as one of their greatest icons.
On his return to Barcelona in 2021, a mandate that continues to this day, his main task has been to fix Barcelona’s financial situation, but Joan Laporta has experienced moments that are in keeping with his personality. Among them, the banners placed in front of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the recent spat with a legend like Xavi Hernández, whom he ended up dismissing at the end of the season. With him in the stands, the team has won two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, and two Spanish Super Cups, so the task at hand remains European competition.
Palo con Messi
But without a doubt, one of the most memorable moments left by Joan Laporta in this second stage was that famous hug to a mannequin wearing Leo Messi’s jersey. The Barcelona president inherited a disastrous situation and his first task was to convince the Argentine to stay. “I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse,” he said to the plastic torso wearing the jersey of the Argentine international who currently plays for Inter Miami.
WTF? 😳😂 pic.twitter.com/KLh4RwTrb2
— Johny (@JohnyFp) February 26, 2021
The outcome is known to all. No salary offered to Leo Messi was accepted by Javier Tebas and LaLiga, and the Argentine had to say goodbye to Barcelona. He did so at a ceremony in which he couldn’t stop crying as he said goodbye to what had been his home for practically his entire life. That is why the stain that will remain on Joan Laporta’s resume is that of being the president who failed to extend the contract of the man considered by many to be the best soccer player in history, who ended up at PSG, where he failed to shine or adapt.
Laporta gets his photo with Lamine
Now, four years later, Joan Laporta has managed to heal the wounds with the renewal of Lamine Yamal. Another player who has come through La Masía and is set to be one of the best over the next decade or more, as he has just turned 18. In fact, many compare him to Leo Messi, as the Argentine did not have the self-confidence that the Spanish international has at that age.
Finally, Joan Laporta can breathe a sigh of relief, as the renewal of Lamine Yamal until 2031 was made official on Wednesday and he managed to get a photo with the youngster from Rocafonda. As if that weren’t enough, the Barça winger has taken on the challenge of wearing the number 10 shirt worn by so many stars during their time at Barcelona, including Leo Messi himself. In doing so, the club president has removed a thorn from his side and now hopes to be remembered as the man who secured the services of the new gem from the youth academy.