After years of shuffling, and a deep failure last season, Barcelona want a change: on March 7, the club’s ‘Socius’ will convene to elect a new president – who should start in deep plowing at the end, the club will return to its glory days.
Three candidates are currently in the race for the position, which will end in about a month: Joan Laporta, the former club president who is considered the leading candidate, Tony Fraiche who is considered a clear underdog – and Victor Font, who is supposed to give Laporte a fight, and one of them is supposed to be the next Barcelona president. In an exclusive interview with the sports channel, Font explains his doctrine about the future – and also refers to the Leo Messi saga, which recently made headlines.
“Shame to say that Barça’s problem is Messi,” said Pont, referring to the publication of “El Mundo”, which revealed a replica contract of ‘Flea’ at the club. “Certainly while he is perhaps the only thing the club can be proud of today. Certainly at the level of the players. There are those who have taken advantage of this sensitive period to cause damage to the organization. They have failed. We are all here to protect Leo and Barça.”
Pont also referred to Messi’s future at the club – aiming to reverse the trend: “We have an orderly plan for Messi. He wants a winning professional project, and here we come into the picture – with Xavi at the forefront. We have a creative project, and thanks to Xavi’s acquaintance “Leo, this project will convince Messi to stay.”
Later, Font also referred to the financial situation of the club – which some say will frustrate Messi’s stay in the team. “We will find a way to ensure our common path, despite the economic situation. Anyone who says the economic situation is an obstacle, is wrong, Barça had that money, it just ran out of money to sign more players because it pays for players who do not make a difference. Maybe here money to sign “Holland or Ambape, but there is enough money to pay Messi, as well as other players. This is a great team, and when a man like Xavi heads it, he will also be competitive and victorious.”
The candidate marked Hernandez as the one to fill the role of manager: “I do not know if he will help me win,” referring to the club’s past relationship, “but he is the figure the club needs at the moment. We had Johan Cruyff, we had a golden turn with “Pep Guardiola, and now, for the sake of restoring enthusiasm and to succeed again, we need Xavi.”
However, Font also referred to the current team – and despite the desire for Messi to remain, far from predicting blacks for the club even without him: “Of course keeping Messi is a priority,” he clarified, “but of course, Barça will continue to exist. When they left, we remained who we are. ” Was coach Ronald Koeman right when he said that Barcelona are not ready to win titles? “I do not agree with Coaching but he knows more than I do. I believe we have the talent and the team to succeed, we are in the quarter-finals of the Cup, against PSG in the last eight of the Champions League, and in second place in the league.”
Another name that revolved around Barcelona quite a bit in the headlines, was that of Jordi Cruyff. Johan’s son, and someone whom the Israeli public knows well after six successful years at Maccabi Tel Aviv, is considered someone who may take part in the club in the future. Pont confirms: “I know very well the work that Jordi did at Maccabi,” he said, “as well as the good work he did in England. He is a very smart man, who can fit in with Xavi’s requirements. Jordi has a contract in China until the end of the season. “We will wait to see if we win the election, and if so, at the end of the season he will be able to join us.”
Finally, Font also referred to his vision of Barcelona under his management: “Heading a club in 2021, very different from what it was in 2003” (hinting at the leading candidate, Joan Laporta), “Why? Because the world has changed a lot, the football industry has changed “It presents you with a lot of challenges and opportunities, and you need new ideas, innovative working methods, new methods of negotiation.”
“One person should not make decisions alone, need a bunch of people, in a CEO with relevant experience in the industry. If you want to build a future, you need new blood in the club. I would like to change the way the club manages. There can be no president and executives without a clue in football who make decisions or sign players who should not have been brought in. We had a president who made decisions in a very selfish way, and that must not happen. “
“What is my message to Barcelona fans in Israel? Cheer up, raise your head. There is not much left until a new management arrives at the club, with new ideas and a refreshing breeze. With Xavi at the helm of the sporting project, we will have another era of success. Success will return soon.” .
