Barca 2021 elections: The lowdown on presidential candidates and their policies

On January 24, 2021, FC Barcelona's members will vote on a new club president.

Since Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned in October, Carles Tusquets has headed up a temporary managing committee, but a permanent board is now set to be chosen.

With the Catalan club somewhat struggling on and off the pitch, bogged down by serious financial difficulties, the 2021 elections take on more importance than usual.

We've compiled the full list of presidential candidates and taken a look at their most notable policies.

Victor Font

The 48-year-old Catalan businessman has seemingly led the race for the presidency since campaigning started. Font has been involved in the last two Barcelona elections, forming part of Marc Ingla's candidacy in 2010 and then presenting his 'Si al futur' project but opting not to run in 2015. Instead, he's been preparing for this opportunity for the last five years.

During his campaign, Font has made it clear over who he wants to see in the Camp Nou dugout. "Xavi [Hernandez] will come to Barcelona if I win the election," Font told La Sotana in December. "If he doesn't, I'll pay for every member's season ticket from my own pocket."

As for the future of Lionel Messi, the candidate is confident of keeping him beyond the expiration of his contract. "I'm convinced that with a competitive, exciting and, especially in Messi's case, long-term project - one that could even go beyond the day that Messi retires - we will convince him to stay," Font told ESPN.

Joan Laporta

The former Barcelona president thrust himself into the race for the 2021 elections in very typical fashion in December. "Looking forward to seeing you again," read the message on the poster across a whole building around the corner from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, with Laporta's face accompanying the message.

The 58-year-old held the top office at Barcelona between 2003 and 2010, during which he turned the fortunes of a struggling club around. The appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach in 2008 helped deliver Laporta's second Champions League title and left an indelible legacy at the club.

"He knows that Barcelona's doors are always open," Laporta told RAC1 on the potential return of Guardiola as coach, though he hasn't ruled out replacing Ronald Koeman with Xavi if he takes office in January.

Jordi Farre

Farre was the man behind the motion of a vote of no confidence against Bartomeu, which forced the then-president to resign. The 45-year-old failed to reach the required number of signatures to run in the 2015 elections but has managed to gain enough support this time around.

One cornerstone of Farre's campaign is the proposed signing of Neymar. "During our meetings, we have said that there are only a few players at Barcelona's level in the world and Neymar is one of those," he said as he presented his presidential bid in December before going on to reveal he'd been in contact with the Brazilian forward.

"Leo Messi and Neymar would play together at Barcelona next year," Farre added. "I'm sure that Messi does not want to go."

However, Xavi would not come in as first team coach. "He is the future of Barcelona, but he has to begin by coaching in the academy to get to know the club as a coach," Farre said on Xavi.

Emili Rousaud

The 54-year-old worked as Bartomeu's vice-president at Barcelona from 2015 until his resignation in April 2020. Upon stepping away from the club, the Catalan was scathing in his criticism of Bartomeu's board, making allegations of corruption. "Someone's had their hand in the till," Rousaud told RAC1.

When presenting his candidacy to be president in 2021, Rousaud claimed that Neymar had told him that he wanted to return to the Camp Nou. "It will be when his contract expires," Rousaud said on the possibility of the Paris Saint-Germain star signing.

On Messi, Rousaud has admitted that the Argentine will have to take a pay cut to stay at Barcelona, stating that his current wages are unsustainable for the club. However, Rousaud would name the new Camp Nou after Messi should he be elected.

Toni Freixa

Freixa has worked on the Barcelona board under both Laporta and Sandro Rosell, while also standing as a candidate for the presidency in the 2015 elections. This time out, the 52-year-old has laid down his plans for the dugout and the dressing room at the Camp Nou.

"I believe that giving tranquillity and stability to the coach is good for the club," he told Goal over whether Koeman would stay on as boss. "Koeman is an indisputable figure of Barcelona and has shown his feelings for the club by accepting the job at such a difficult time."

"Neymar, because of his performance, is not even among the 30 best players in Europe right now," Freixa told Cadena SER. "If he were president, I would not sign him." Freixa has also refused to commit to extended Messi's contract.

Agusti Benedito

Like Freixa, Benedito also lost out to Bartomeu in the 2015 elections at Barcelona, while he also shares some views with his counterpart in the 2021 race.

Koeman would be my coach. I bet on him already in 2015 and hope that he's here for years to come," Benedito told Radio MARCA.

A move for Neymar is also not so appealing to him: "He left by mistake. I can't see him coming back," Benedito added on the Brazilian.

Xavi Vilajoana

Vilajoana himself enjoyed a career in football, spending time in Barcelona's academy and playing for the club's C team and futsal team. During his time in the Camp Nou's offices, he's formed part of the boards of Laporta, Rosell and Bartomeu.

For the Catalan, the door is always open for Messi at the Camp Nou. "If he's willing, he'll retire here. If he's not eager and motivated, we'll have nothing to say and we'll let him leave," Vilajoana said on the Argentine as part of his presidential bid.

"If I become president, Koeman will be the coach because he's already there," Vilajoana added on his plans for the coaching staff.

Lluis Fernandez Ala

The Catalan businessman is very much interested in how to change the club's financial woes around, putting in place a more stable management model.

"At a sporting level, I believe that we should trust La Masia and stop signing expensive and selling cheap," Fernandez Ala told RAC1. In order to refocus the club's philosophy on youth, Fernandez Ala is also looking to the academy for his new coach - B team boss Francisco Javier Garcia Pimienta.

"Garcia Pimienta will be our Guardiola. When [Ernesto] Valverde was dismissed, we should have bet on Garcia Pimienta, and now we should do the same should Koeman be removed," Fernandez Ala told Goal.