Barcelona, a club that has dominated European football for decades, is now in a new era under the leadership of Joan Laporta. But is this an era dominated by success or financial challenges? Let’s dive into the numbers and stories behind the spectacular transitions that have defined Laporta’s two presidential terms.
A club in crisis or on its way to new greatness?
Barcelona may no longer be called an undisputed giant, but the club has undoubtedly lost some of its former glory. Since the last Champions League triumph in 2015, there has been a downward trend. Xavi, one of the club’s biggest legends, left the coaching role after a turbulent season in 2023-24, and the club is now banking on former Germany coach Hansi Flick to turn the ship around. But how did Barcelona get here? And what role has Joan Laporta’s transfer strategy played?
Laporta’s First Era: Ronaldinho, Messi and the Golden Age
Joan Laporta’s first term as president (2003-2010) was a time of success and grand signings. In total, the club spent €371.5 million on player acquisitions, and it was during this period that Barcelona built the foundations for one of the most dominant eras in football history.
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The first big signing? Ronaldinho. The Brazilian magician joined from Paris Saint-Germain for €32.3 million and became the catalyst for Barcelona’s resurrection. With players like Deco, Thierry Henry and Dani Alves, Laporta created a squad that dominated both nationally and internationally.
But it was also during this period that Barcelona signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a staggering €69.5 million – a transfer that would prove to be both spectacular and problematic. Although Zlatan delivered goals, he was never the perfect fit for Barcelona’s style of play, and he left the club after just one season.
Laporta’s Second Era: Economic Chaos and New Hopes
When Laporta returned as president in 2021, the club was in a completely different situation. Financial problems, exacerbated by the pandemic and Lionel Messi’s passing to PSG, had brought the club to its knees. Still, Laporta has managed to navigate through the storm with a combination of creativity and risky decisions.
In his second term, Barcelona have spent €337.8 million on player purchases. The most spectacular season came in 2022-23, when the club brought in stars such as Raphinha (€58 million), Jules Koundé (€50 million) and Robert Lewandowski (€45 million). These signings have given the club new hope, but have also put it under financial pressure.
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Net Spend and Sales: A Balancing Act
Barcelona have earned €354.4 million from player sales during Laporta’s two spells, giving a net spend of €354.9 million. This shows that the club has been dependent on selling players to finance new signings. Ousmane Dembélé is the most expensive sale under Laporta, with a move to PSG for €50 million in 2023. But the sale of players like Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o reminds us of a time when Barcelona could sell stars without losing their dominance.
Top 5 Most Expensive Signings Under Laporta
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic – €69.5 million (2009)
- Raphinha – €58 million (2022)
- Dani Olmo – €55 million (2024)
- Ferran Torres – €55 million (2022)
- Jules Koundé – €50 million (2022)
Top 5 Most Expensive Sales Under Laporta
- Ousmane Dembélé – €50 million (2023)
- Ronaldinho – €24.2 million (2008)
- Samuel Eto’o – €20 million (2009)
- Antoine Griezmann – €20 million (2022)
- Philippe Coutinho – €20 million (2022)
The future: Can Barcelona regain their place at the top?
With Hansi Flick at the helm and a squad that still has stars like Lewandowski and Gavi, the future is not without hope. But financial constraints and competition from clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester City make the road back to the top long and challenging.
Joan Laporta’s management has been a balancing act between magnificent signings and financial survival. The question is whether this strategy will take Barcelona back to the golden age, or if it will exacerbate the club’s financial problems. One thing is for sure: under Laporta, Barcelona have never been boring.
