Laporta backs Barcelona for title success after Girona loss – ‘I’m sure we’ll win La Liga’ | OneFootball

Barcelona are officially in election mode right now, with Joan Laporta and Victor Font emerging as the two main candidates fighting for the presidential position.

Font raised a few eyebrows recently by promising to take action against Real Madrid TV and the CTA if he wins the election. But the focus once again shifts to Laporta, who remains the favourite.

Laporta officially presented his pre-candidacy electoral headquarters this afternoon, launching his new campaign slogan ahead of the upcoming elections.

Evolving from his victorious 2021 motto ‘Estimem el Barça’ (Let’s love Barça), the current president unveiled ‘Defensem el Barça’ (Let’s defend Barça) as his rallying cry.

Naturally, the event was heavily influenced by current sporting events, particularly the controversial refereeing during Barcelona’s recent 2-1 defeat to Girona.

Laporta on recent events

Laporta used the platform to express his unwavering support for Hansi Flick’s work and the resilience of the players.

“We defend Barça to enjoy sporting success,” he said. “We have a treasure trove of people in the Barça dressing room, with homegrown players and players from other countries who are functioning well thanks to Flick and Deco.”

“I know the atmosphere there, Flick’s work, the players’ character, and I’m sure we’ll win La Liga. It will be a league against everything and everyone because they don’t just want to beat us on the pitch,” he added.

“They want to beat us off the pitch too, obviously,” he continued. “There are many people who don’t want us to win it; there are certain power circles that don’t get along with us.”

Addressing the team’s recent dip in form, Laporta pointed to the gruelling schedule. “We’ve had a tough time playing Sundays and Wednesdays lately, and it’s normal to have a dip in form,” he said.

Laporta is determined to get himself re-elected. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“And when we have that dip, there are others who take advantage. For example, the stamp on Koundé… We’ll turn things around and rediscover our style of play,” Laporta assured the fans. “I spoke with them, and they’re very focused,” he added.

However, Laporta was quick to remind everyone of his administration’s success. “In five years we’ve won three Cups, two Leagues and three Super Cups. We’ve won the last three finals against Real Madrid. And that’s fantastic!

“That’s why I’m convinced we’ll win the League,” he said.

Laporta also elaborated on the need to protect the institution. “We defend Barça from those who never rest, circles of power that try to corner us, that don’t want us to represent what we represent,” he said.

“And from those who, at certain moments on the pitch, don’t do what they should,” he pointed out. It is incomprehensible that now, with so much technological support, sometimes it’s used and sometimes it isn’t,” he added.

Laporta on five years of growth and stability

Outlining his vision for the future, Laporta called for unity among the club’s supporters. “This is the proposal I am leading to build upon and further consolidate Barça as the best sporting institution in the world,” he said.

“I call upon all members to continue defending Barça in the coming years with the strength of our history, our crest, our essence, and to do so with pride, feeling, emotion, and joy, loving and defending Barça.

“Defending Barça means loving Barça. We are better than we were five years ago in every aspect. This season, we will unpack our continuity project, analysing what needs improvement. I am very proud of the work done,” he added.

Laporta firmly dismissed the idea that the club’s recovery was a stroke of luck, instead heaping praise on the work done.

“What has been achieved is not a miracle; it is the product of daily hard work and courageous decisions made by capable people.

“This growth is due to the institutional stability achieved thanks to our members, and to continue growing, experience, leadership, and this stability are essential,” he said.

Victor Font is the main opposition for Laporta. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)

“Because defending Barça means growing, and for that reason, we will continue the actions we have initiated in these five years,” he stated.

Laporta’s stern warning

Laporta went on to issue a stern warning to his political rivals, including Victor Font, adding that Barcelona cannot be run like a business.

“We defend Barça from those who lack experience. Driven by personal ambition, they haven’t understood that Barça needs defending,” he said.

“They’re the same ones who don’t understand that Barcelona shouldn’t be valued in business terms, obviously with professional criteria. Barça isn’t a business,” he added.

The Spaniard warned against entrusting the club to unproven leadership, in what was a clear direction towards Font, his closest rival.

“We’re fighting to prevent Barça from falling into the hands of people who, due to inexperience, could cause a repeat of what happened recently. We can’t let them ruin it again. We have to be smart, because those who don’t like us are smart too,” Laporta said.

Finally, Laporta looked back on his journey, pointing out how the road wasn’t easy.

“Reversing this situation hasn’t been easy; painful decisions have had to be made. But Barça has been reborn; it’s a unique club, a very deep feeling that unites us and gives us great strength,” he concluded.

Source: Mundo Deportivo