Rafa Yuste open to succeeding Joan Laporta as Barcelona president: ‘I genuinely feel appreciated’ | OneFootball

Rafa Yuste has revealed that he would like to run for the Barcelona presidency when Joan Laporta’s current term comes to an end.

Speaking ahead of Laporta’s official inauguration today, on 1 July 2026, the outgoing interim president admitted that succeeding one of his closest allies at the club is an ambition he is seriously considering.

Laporta’s trusted lieutenant

Until today, Yuste had been serving as Barcelona’s acting president while Laporta prepared to formally begin his new mandate.

Yuste hands over the presidency to Laporta today. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

As one of Laporta’s most trusted figures, Yuste remained in charge throughout the club’s electoral process, leading a reduced interim board responsible for Barcelona’s day-to-day management and representing the club at official events during the transition.

Following the final board meeting of the 2025/26 season on 30 June, Barcelona officially hands over the presidency to Laporta during a ceremony at the Auditori 1899 at Spotify Camp Nou today.

Looking ahead to the next election

Before the inauguration, Yuste spoke to RAC1 (h/t SPORT) about his experience as interim president.

He described the role as both an honour and a privilege before acknowledging that he is considering standing in the next presidential election, when Laporta will no longer be eligible to run.

Yuste would be open to succeeding Laporta. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Should he do so, Yuste would be expected to lead a campaign built on continuity with Laporta’s current project.

Asked directly whether he sees himself as a future presidential candidate, Yuste responded candidly.

“I would like to because I feel appreciated, and I don’t say that with any other intention. I genuinely feel appreciated. I’m a very ordinary person from the neighbourhood, a huge Barça supporter, and I always try to live up to what institutions like Barcelona deserve.”

He was also careful to emphasise that the focus should remain on Laporta’s new term.

“Today is the day to praise Laporta. There’s still a long way to go and football is unpredictable, but it’s not something I rule out. The answer is yes, I would like to.”

While any future campaign remains years away, Yuste’s comments represent the clearest indication yet that he sees himself as a potential successor to Laporta when Barcelona next elects a president.