Joan Laporta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joan Laporta
Laporta in 2023
President of 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 62) 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 (born June 29, 1962) is a Spanish politician and a very important person in the world of football. He is currently the president of the famous football club Barcelona.

Laporta is a lawyer who studied at the University of Barcelona. He even has his own law firm. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of the Parliament of Catalonia, which is like a regional government.

During his first time as Barcelona's president, the club won a record six trophies in one year (2009)! After leaving in 2010, he was chosen again as president in 2021. As of 2023, Barcelona's sports teams have won over 92 official trophies while he has been president.

Laporta's Time at FC Barcelona

Laporta first got involved with Barcelona by leading a group called "Elefant Blau" (Blue Elephant). This group was against the old president, Josep Lluís Núñez. In 1998, they tried to remove him, but it didn't work.

First Time as President (2003–2010)

Becoming President in 2003

In the 2003 elections, Laporta wasn't expected to win. But he became very popular during his campaign. He won against Lluís Bassat, partly because he promised to bring football star David Beckham to Barcelona. Even though Beckham didn't come, Laporta won! He had help from other young business people, like Sandro Rosell. Laporta quickly became famous, almost as much as the players.

His first season (2003–04) was a big turning point for the club. Before he arrived, fans and players were unhappy because Barcelona hadn't won trophies since 1999. They wanted to be as successful as 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. The club had a new, young team in charge.

Laporta also worked to make the Camp Nou stadium safer. He tried to stop violence from some fan groups. At first, the 2003–04 season started badly. Laporta asked fans to be patient as the club changed players and built a new team around Ronaldinho.

The new management helped the club earn more money. Slowly, Barcelona got much better. They finished second in 2003–04, and then won the La Liga titles in 2004–05 and 2005–06. The club also won the UEFA Champions League on May 17, 2006. This was only their second time winning this important European trophy.

Barcelona used to not have sponsors on their shirts. In 2006, Laporta made a deal with UNICEF. Barcelona would give UNICEF money, and the UNICEF logo would be on their shirts. This was a unique way to support a good cause.

Re-election as Club President

There was some confusion about when Laporta's first term ended. A judge decided his term ended in 2006, so new elections were called. For a short time, an economist named Xavier Sala-i-Martin led the club.

New elections were planned for September 3, 2006. But Laporta was confirmed as president for another four years on August 22. This happened because no other candidates got enough signatures to run against him.

Changes and Success with Pep Guardiola

After a few tough years, Laporta decided to change the head coach. He hired Pep Guardiola, who used to be a captain for Barcelona. Guardiola had only coached the B team before. Even though the team started slowly, Barcelona had an amazing season. They won the treble in 2009: La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League. They also won the Supercopa de España and UEFA Super Cup that year, and the FIFA Club World Cup in December. This was a truly historic year for the club! Sandro Rosell took over as president in 2010.

Second Time as President (2021–Present)

In November 2020, Laporta announced he would run for president again. In January 2021, he officially joined the race and was a favorite to win. On March 7, Laporta won the election with 54.28% of the votes. He took over from Josep Maria Bartomeu, who had resigned.

Laporta's Political Life

Laporta has always been interested in politics. In 1996, he joined a group called the Independence Party.

He has often talked about his political beliefs. He supports Catalan independence, which means he believes Catalonia should be a separate country from Spain. Many people see FC Barcelona as a symbol of Catalonia. Laporta often highlights this connection. However, some people think 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 became its leader.

In the Catalan elections of November 28, 2010, his new party won four seats in the 135-member Catalan Parliament. This made it the sixth-largest party. Laporta was elected to represent the Barcelona area.

In 2011, Laporta stepped down as president of Catalan Solidarity for Independence and left the party.

Personal Life

Laporta was married to Constanza Echevarría. They have three sons: Pol, Guillem, and Jan. His son Pol is also 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
• Copa del Rey:
  • 2008–09, 2020–21
• Supercopa de España:
  • 2005, 2006, 2009, 2022–23, 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
• 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 Cup:
  • 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
• Copa del Rey de Balonmano:
  • 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
• 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
• WSE Cup:
  • 2005–06
• Continental Cup:
  • 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010
• CERH Ciudad de Vigo Tournament:
  • 2004, 2007
• Intercontinental Cup:
  • 2005, 2008

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