Catalan businessman opens door to future Barcelona presidential run: ‘I think it is a good moment’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s most recent presidential election took place only a few months ago, and Joan Laporta was elected for the second consecutive time.

Laporta was re-elected in March 2026 with more than 68 percent of the vote, beating Victor Font and securing a mandate that runs until 2031.

The charismatic president has not yet assumed office, with his term set to begin at the start of July as he looks to lead Barça for the next five years.

However, having been president for two consecutive terms, Laporta would be unable to run again in 2031, opening the door for someone new to come in.

Jose Elias has left the door open to running for the Barcelona board in the future, giving the club’s political scene an early hint of what could come after Joan Laporta’s final mandate.

As quoted by SPORT, the Catalan businessman, president of Audax Renovables and a financial backer of Laporta’s 2021 campaign, said he could consider entering a future Barça election once the current president’s time in office ends.

Elias was asked whether he saw himself running for public office, but he redirected the idea towards Barcelona. He said:

“I would run for a Barca board before that.”

A project, not just a candidacy

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The businessman then made it clear that any future move would need a strong team around it, not just personal ambition.

He said, “The only thing is that you need good teammates, right? Like Carles Puyol coming, Gerard Pique coming.

“Well, you need a good team. It is not about going just for the sake of going. You have to go with a project and with excitement.”

This is very important for Barça. The club’s presidency is not only about money or personality. It is about building a structure capable of handling football decisions, finances, Espai Barça, La Masia, institutional pressure and global growth.

Elias also sees timing as a potential factor. He said, “I think it is a good moment now, because Laporta cannot run again… so Barca is left a bit orphaned.”

Post-Laporta era already in view

He also pointed to familiar election figures who have tried to challenge for the presidency before.

Elias said, “You have the usual ones, who have been running and many of whom have not reached the cut-off, Victor Font, Marc Ciria, who this time did not even reach the signatures.”

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Whether Elias eventually runs or not, his comments show that the post-Laporta conversation has already quietly started.

That is natural. Barcelona are member-owned, and future leadership always matters, so planning for it needs to begin right now.

Elias even added a curious Madrid angle, referring to Enrique Riquelme, who has been linked with Real Madrid’s electoral scene.

He added, “Well, you know what happens? I am a personal friend of Enrique Riquelme, the one from Cox.”

He added that they had imagined a future rivalry over dinner, with one leading Barça and the other Madrid.

The next president after Laporta will inherit a club that must stay competitive, financially disciplined and loyal to its identity.

Elias may enter the race, but Barça will want the best person for the job, and it remains to be seen who the candidates are in five years’ time.