Barcelona is experiencing a day of tension and an important decision-making, both in the boardroom and on the pitch. While the first team prepares for a crucial La Liga match against Sevilla at Spotify Camp Nou, the club’s future is being decided at the ballot box. Today, registered club members, known as socios, are casting their votes to elect the next president of FC Barcelona.
The day, however, began with an unexpected and embarrassing incident involving first-team goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The German shot-stopper, who is currently on loan at Girona, arrived at his designated polling station ready to exercise his right as a socio. However, he was turned away and had to return home without voting.
According to reports, ter Stegen was unable to vote due to an administrative issue. His membership data had not been updated in the club’s official census. This meant his name did not appear on the electoral roll at the polling station, preventing him from participating in the democratic process.
As the day progresses, the focus remains on the voting numbers. Josep Cubells, who is overseeing the election, provided an update on the first four hours of voting. So far, 21,978 socios have cast their ballots, which represents 19.19% of the total eligible voters. The club has announced that a total of 114,504 members are entitled to vote in this election.
The breakdown of votes from various polling stations in the first four hours is as follows:
· Spotify Camp Nou: 18,850 votes
· Girona: 1,405 votes
· Tarragona: 1,032 votes
· Lleida: 415 votes
· Andorra: 276 votes
The race for the presidency is a two-horse contest between current president Joan Laporta and his main challenger, Victor Font. Most polls suggest that Laporta is the favorite to win, but a victory for Font would almost certainly lead to changes behind the scenes.
Reports indicate that the future of head coach Hansi Flick is directly tied to the outcome of the election. Flick, who is said to have a strong working relationship with both Laporta and sporting director Deco, is reportedly prepared to leave the club if Font wins. Sources suggest that while Flick would likely finish the current 2025/2026 season out of professionalism, his departure could follow shortly after, out of loyalty to the current leadership team.
A win for Victor Font would not only signal a change in the presidency but could also trigger a major rebuild. Font has campaigned on promises of important changes, including the possibility of pursuing top global stars like Erling Haaland to strengthen the squad. Such a move would represent a major shift in the club’s strategy and squad composition.
For now, the city of Barcelona remains in election mode, waiting to see whether Laporta will secure another term or if Font will usher in a new era, bringing with him a wave of changes both on the field and in the dugout.