Joan Laporta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joan Laporta
Laporta in 2025
President of FC Barcelona
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 March 2021
Preceded by	Josep Maria Bartomeu Carles Tusquets (interim)
In office 15 June 2003 – 30 June 2010
Preceded by	Joan Gaspart Enric Reyna (interim)
Succeeded by	Sandro Rosell
Member of the Catalan Parliament
In office 29 November 2010 – 17 December 2012
Constituency	Barcelona
Member of the Barcelona City Council
In office 1 July 2011 – 13 June 2013
Personal details
Born	Joan Laporta i Estruch (1962-06-29) 29 June 1962 (age 63) Barcelona, Spain
Political party	Partit per la Independència (1996–1999) Democràcia Catalana [ca; es] (2010–2015)
Spouse	Constanza Echevarría
Children	3
Alma mater	University of Barcelona
Profession	Lawyer

Joan Laporta i Estruch (born 29 June 1962) is a Spanish businessman and politician. He is best known as the current president of FC Barcelona, a famous football club.

Laporta is a lawyer who studied at the University of Barcelona. He has his own law firm. He also served as a member of the Parliament of Catalonia from 2010 to 2012.

During his first time as president of Barcelona, the club won many trophies. In 2009, they set a record by winning six trophies in just 12 months! After leaving in 2010, he was chosen again as club president in 2021.

As of 2025, under Laporta's leadership, the different sports teams at Barcelona have won over 101 official trophies.

Leading FC Barcelona

Laporta first got involved with Barcelona by leading a group called "Elefant Blau" (Blue Elephant). This group wanted to see changes at the club.

First Time as President (2003–2010)

How He Became President

In the 2003 elections for club president, Laporta was not expected to win. However, his friendly personality helped him gain support. He won against Lluís Bassat, partly because he promised to bring famous player David Beckham to Barcelona. Even though Beckham didn't join, Laporta became very popular.

His first season, 2003–04, was a big turning point for the club. Before he arrived, fans and players were unhappy because Barcelona had not won many trophies since 1999. They wanted to catch up to Real Madrid.

New Players and Manager

When Laporta became president, he brought in new talent. One of his biggest signings was the football superstar Ronaldinho. He also hired a new manager, Frank Rijkaard. These changes helped the club start fresh.

Laporta also worked to make the Camp Nou stadium a safer place for everyone. The club's results were not great at first in 2003–04. Laporta asked fans to be patient as the team slowly changed players and built a new squad around Ronaldinho.

His new way of managing helped the club's finances and performance. The team improved a lot, finishing second in 2003–04. They then won La Liga titles in 2004–05 and 2005–06. The club also won the UEFA Champions League in 2006, which was only their second time winning that important trophy.

Barcelona had a tradition of not having sponsors on their shirts. In 2006, Laporta made a deal with UNICEF. The club would donate money to UNICEF, and the UNICEF logo would be on their shirts. This was a unique way to support a good cause.

Staying as President

There was a small question about when Laporta's first term officially ended. A court decided that his term had finished, so new elections were called for September 2006.

However, Laporta did not need to run in new elections. No other candidates received enough signatures to challenge him. So, on 22 August 2006, Laporta was confirmed as president for another four years.

Challenges and Changes

Later, some people were unhappy with the club's results and Laporta's leadership. A special vote was held in July 2008 to see if he should remain president. Although many voted against him, it wasn't enough to force new elections.

After this vote, eight of the 17 board members resigned. They disagreed with Laporta's decision to stay as president.

Despite these challenges, Laporta made a big change. He hired Pep Guardiola as the new head coach. Guardiola had only coached the B team before. Even though the team started slowly, Barcelona had an amazing season. They won the treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Champions League) in 2009. They also won the Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup that year. Laporta's first time as president ended in 2010.

Second Time as President (2021–2022)

In November 2020, Laporta announced he would run for president again. He was a favorite to win. On 7 March 2021, Laporta won the election with 54.28% of the votes. He became president again after Josep Maria Bartomeu had resigned.

Political Activities

Laporta has been involved in politics for a long time. In 1996, he joined a party called the Independence Party.

He has always been open about his political beliefs. He supports Catalan independence from Spain. Many people see FC Barcelona as a symbol of Catalonia. Laporta often highlights this connection. However, some people believe the club should stay out of politics.

After his first time as president, Laporta started his own political party called Democràcia Catalana (Catalan Democracy). In 2010, his party joined with other groups to form a platform called Catalan Solidarity for Independence. Laporta was chosen to lead it.

In the elections of November 2010, this new party won four seats in the Catalan Parliament. Laporta was elected to represent the Barcelona area. In 2011, he stepped down as president of the party and left it.

Personal Life

Joan Laporta was married to Constanza Echevarría. They have three sons named Pol, Guillem, and Jan. His son Pol is a footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder.

Trophies Won by Club During Presidency

Football

Barcelona:

• La Liga:
  • 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2022–23, 2024–25
• Copa del Rey:
  • 2008–09, 2020–21,2024–25
• Supercopa de España:
  • 2005, 2006, 2009, 2023, 2025
• UEFA Champions League:
  • 2005–06, 2008–09
• UEFA Super Cup:
  • 2009
• FIFA Club World Cup:
  • 2009

Barcelona Femení (Women's Football):

• Primera División (women):
  • 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• Copa de la Reina de Fútbol:
  • 2020–21, 2021–22, 2023–24
• Supercopa de España Femenina:
  • 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• UEFA Women's Champions League:
  • 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24

Futsal

Barcelona Futsal:

• Primera División:
  • 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
• Copa del Rey de Futsal:
  • 2022–23
• Copa de España (LNFS):
  • 2022
• Supercopa de España:
  • 2022, 2023
• UEFA Futsal Champions League:
  • 2021–22

Basketball

Barcelona Basketball:

• Liga ACB:
  • 2003–04, 2008–09, 2020–21, 2022–23
• Copa del Rey de Baloncesto:
  • 2007, 2010, 2021, 2022
• Supercopa de España de Baloncesto:
  • 2004, 2009
• EuroLeague:
  • 2009–10

Handball

Barcelona Handbol:

• Liga ASOBAL:
  • 2005–06, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Copa del Rey de Balonmano:
  • 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Copa ASOBAL:
  • 2009–10, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
• Supercopa ASOBAL:
  • 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2020–21, 2021–22
• Supercopa Ibérica:
  • 2022, 2023
• EHF Champions League:
  • 2004–05, 2020–21, 2021–22
• European Super Cup:
  • 2003–04

Roller Hockey

Barcelona Roller Hockey:

• OK Liga:
  • 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2020–21, 2022–23
• Copa del Rey de Hockey Patines:
  • 2005, 2007, 2022, 2023
• Supercopa de España de Hockey Patines:
  • 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2022, 2023
• Champions League:
  • 2003–04, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2017–18
• WSE Cup:
  • 2005–06
• Continental Cup:
  • 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2015, 2018
• CERH Ciudad de Vigo Tournament:
  • 2004, 2007
• Intercontinental Cup:
  • 2005, 2008, 2018, 2023

Ice Hockey

Barcelona Ice Hockey:

• Liga Nacional de Hockey Hielo Spanish Champion:
  • 2008–09, 2020–21, 2021–22

See also

In Spanish: Joan Laporta para niños