Victor Font, who secured approximately 30% of the votes in the 2021 Barcelona presidential elections, has issued a call for current president Joan Laporta to hold new elections in 2025. Font has been openly critical of Laporta’s administration, particularly regarding the recent handling of key players and transfer dealings.
Font expressed his discontent with how the situation involving Ilkay Gündogan was managed, calling it “unacceptable”. He stated, “They made up the story that Gündogan left because of a sporting decision. Nobody believes it.”
Víctor Font (former Presidential candidate): "Three years in office, three sporting directors, three coaches, 30 signings of which only eight are in the squad. We signed Olmo and we say that Gündo has left for sporting reasons. Why are we deceiving people?" Via @sport pic.twitter.com/AnitGstvjp
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) September 10, 2024
Additionally, Font criticized the club’s approach to Nico Williams, saying, “We started the summer by saying how much we love him, but ended it by claiming we don’t talk about players from other clubs.” Such inconsistency in transfer dealings, according to Font, reflects poor management under Laporta’s leadership.
Beyond individual transfers, Font highlighted his broader vision for the club. He emphasized Barcelona’s immense potential and the importance of doing things right to compete at the highest level. “I always say that Barcelona’s potential is huge, and if we do things well, I think we will be able to compete with other clubs, the Club World Cup, the Champions League, or whatever. The nostalgia we feel for the best Barcelona in history we have to reclaim.”
Font also spoke about his desire to see former players more involved in the club’s operations. “I would love to see Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pep, or Messi involved at the club, each contributing in their own way. This is the Barcelona that many of us dream of—where former players take the spotlight, not the presidents, and make people proud of the club” Font added, underscoring his vision of a Barcelona led by its legendary figures rather than its executives.
His comments reflect growing tension within the club as critics of Laporta’s leadership call for change, with Font positioning himself as an advocate for greater transparency and a return to the values that once made Barcelona the pride of world football.