Laporta wins and now wants to bring back the best Barca in history
There was no surprise, Laporta won out. Font did not convince enough of the undecided vote over his model. And Freixa’s bid remained just a dream. Socios voted in Laporta in, by a big margin. For his experience, but also for nostalgia of the best Barca side in history. The past has influenced the future and Laporta has to show he can build the same miracle he managed in 2003, taking Barcelona out of sporting, economic and institutional crisis.
Yes, 18 years later he is back, but this time without the signing of Ronaldinho. Messi’s renewal could be an impulse for the new project though. The Argentine has gone weeks waiting for the new president and went, for the first time, to vote. Today he knows that it is Laporta who he will negotiate with. I don’t know if it will be at a barbecue or in an office. But good communication between Messi and Laporta is assured. Let’s see if it’s enough to convince him to stay.
Laporta has won these elections because he represents hope. He had enough charisma to thrash the other candidates. He’s been the favourite since he announced he was running. Polls confirmed it and the collection of signatures confirmed them. The campaign is over and he is back to the presidential box.
Laporta has a lot of work in front of him. He knows it. But he’s not afraid. He’s absolutely sure of himself. And his plan is to turn Barca into the best club in the world again. He did it before, two decades ago. When he was a young lawyer he surrounded himself with a group of talented professionals to help Barca get out of the desert they wandered through under Gaspart. He faces a similar challenge post Bartomeu. He’s got enough enthusiasm. It’s time to begin.
