Victor Font: A Barcelona Presidential Candidate Championing Messi’s Return
Victor Font: A Barcelona Presidential Candidate Championing Messi’s Return
Victor Font, the Catalan businessman and long-time advocate for FC Barcelona, is once again making headlines as he stakes his claim to become the next president of the club. Known for his vision, passion, and strategic thinking, Font has consistently emphasized one central pillar of his campaign: bringing Lionel Messi back into the heart of Barcelona’s project.
Who Is Victor Font?
Victor Font is not your average football club hopeful. With a background in technology, communications, and entrepreneurship, Font combines business acumen with deep love for Barça. He previously ran for the presidency of FC Barcelona, promoting a platform called Sí al Futur (“Yes to the Future”). He positioned his campaign as forward-thinking, modern, and sustainable—while staying true to Barcelona’s historic sporting philosophy. Barca Universal+2ESPN.com+2
His critical stance toward the current administration is well known: Font has openly criticized Joan Laporta’s management, calling for better financial planning, transparency, and a renewed sporting strategy. Goal+1 In his recent campaign launch for upcoming elections, he presented a new platform called “Nosaltres” (“We/Us”) that emphasizes inclusion, respect for club members, and a long-term vision over short-term populism. Diario AS
Font’s Vision for Messi’s Return
At the core of Font’s presidential project lies a bold promise: to secure Messi’s return to Barcelona in a strong, meaningful role. Font openly calls the Barça–Messi alliance “strategic”, believing that such a union is not only sentimental but also central to the club’s future identity. FCBN+2ESPN.com+2
He has publicly spoken, even in past campaigns, about creating the right conditions for Messi to stay or return: building a competitive squad, assembling top-tier talent, and surrounding him with a winning mentality. ESPN.com+2ESPN.com+2 Font once told ESPN that if elected, he would pick up the phone and convince Messi personally—because for Font, Messi’s connection to Barça transcends contracts; it is about legacy, emotion, and winning together. ESPN.com
In addition, Font has pledged that his project would be long-term, potentially even beyond Messi’s playing days, to ensure that his legacy and association with the club continue to have meaning. ESPN.com He framed it as more than a mere football decision; it’s part of a cultural and strategic commitment to Barça’s identity.
Criticism of the Current Leadership
Part of Font’s pitch includes criticizing how the current leadership treated Messi in the past. He argues that under Laporta’s presidency, Barcelona did not capitalize properly on what Messi represented. In Font’s words, “Barça have not lived up to the historical dimension of the figure of Messi.” Goal
He has also warned that financial policies and high-risk strategies (sometimes referred to by critics as “leveraging” or “lever system”) could jeopardize the club’s long-term stability. Goal For Font, a new presidency would mean safeguarding Barça’s financial future while still building a competitive team that can win major trophies—including the Champions League, something he directly promised to Messi. Barca Universal
Messi, Legacy, and Strategic Importance
Font’s emotional and strategic investment in Messi is deeply rooted. He has described Messi as “the best player in the history of the sport,” and says that preserving the Barca-Messi association is not just sentimental, but of vital importance to the club’s success. ESPN.com
He believes that Messi’s presence elevates Barça not only on the pitch but in the hearts of the fans. “If we lose Messi, the cost will be very high,” Font once said, reflecting his conviction that Messi’s bond with the club is irreplaceable. FCBN
Font has also expressed regret that some Barcelonistas lose faith in Messi’s motives or legacy, arguing that people underestimate his loyalty and the value he brings—even during difficult seasons. FCBN
Challenges and Skepticism
Despite his strong narrative, Font’s promises are not without skepticism. Critics question whether Barcelona’s precarious financial situation can truly support a mega-contract or ambitious wage bill for Messi. ESPN.com Some pundits believe that returning Messi may be financially unfeasible or even risky given the current economic constraints at the club.
Others argue that calling on past legends and making nostalgic promises is a campaign strategy rather than a realistic business plan. Font’s opponents suggest that his vision, while emotionally appealing, might lack pragmatic grounding if it fails to reconcile ambitious sporting goals with financial responsibility.
The Bigger Picture: Barça’s Identity and Future
What makes Victor Font’s narrative particularly compelling is that it’s not just about signing a superstar; it’s about redefining Barça’s identity. He sees Messi not just as a player, but as a symbol of a club that values excellence, continuity, and connection to its own history.
Font argues that returning legends like Messi, combined with a modern, forward-looking management strategy, can help Barcelona rebuild its reputation both on and off the pitch. This is not merely cosmetic nostalgia—it’s a carefully crafted strategic message: Messi’s return would help re-anchor the club’s values while pushing it toward sustainable success.
Conclusion
Victor Font’s campaign to become the president of FC Barcelona is deeply intertwined with his vision for bringing Lionel Messi back to the club. For Font, Messi is not just a former star—he’s a bridge to Barcelona’s golden past and a vital asset for its future ambitions. Font proposes creating a long-term, emotionally resonant project built on financial stability, sporting competitiveness, and respect for the club’s identity.
Whether or not Font’s promises will materialize depends on many factors: the financial health of the club, the willingness of Messi himself, and the support of Barça’s members. Still, his pitch is powerful: a promise that a new era at Barcelona could once again be defined by its greatest icon.
