Laporta Explains Barcelona’s Superleague Exit as Presidency Nears Transition

Joan Laporta is preparing to step down as Barcelona president ahead of elections scheduled for next month, though he still intends to run in an effort to retain the position. In one of his final interviews before the vote, he reflected on several key decisions taken during his tenure and addressed issues that have recently drawn public attention.

One topic that stirred debate was the decision to hold the presidential election on the same day as a La Liga match against Sevilla. The scheduling choice was made after internal discussions within the club, with the priority placed on balancing sporting commitments and organizational needs while ensuring voting arrangements would remain accessible to members.

Laporta also spoke about his plans should he be re-elected, emphasizing a desire to continue long-term projects already underway. He highlighted the work done to restore confidence around the club and pointed to Barcelona’s tradition as a multi-sport institution with a strong record of European success as a foundation for future growth.

Financial recovery was another major theme. According to Laporta, the club has taken significant steps to restructure debt and create new revenue streams, resulting in consecutive years of profit. The temporary relocation to Montjuïc during stadium works was described as a demanding period, but one that was managed while preserving the club’s ownership model and maintaining squad competitiveness.

Barcelona also recently confirmed its withdrawal from the European Superleague project, a move Laporta attributed to both financial concerns and strained institutional relations, particularly with Real Madrid. In his view, the initiative no longer offered clear benefits and risked becoming a costly venture without a realistic path forward.