The 58-year-old, who oversaw the appointment of Pep Guardiola as head coach in his previous spell at the club between 2003-2010, succeeds Josep Maria Bartomeu who resigned in October.
Laporta signed the likes of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho and former Cameroon forward Samuel Eto’o in his first term as president, with the club winning the Champions League twice, four La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey.
Messi also emerged as a world star during that period and was among several current Barca players to vote in the election.
After doing a fresh round of media interviews on Monday morning, Laporta went to visit the club’s various training facilities to meet the first-team squad alongside the B and Femeni sides.
??? ??? ??? ! Joan Laporta’s Monday morning visit to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper pic.twitter.com/H0957O6Q4S
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 8, 2021
2021 Barcelona transfer targets
Barcelona are reportedly set to steal a high-profile Bayern Munich target David Alaba away from Real Madrid as returning club president Joan Laporta takes office looking to make a big splash.
One of the key topics that dominated the election campaign was the future of six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who can leave Barcelona for free this summer. Laporta stated that he is the only one who may be able to convince the Argentinian star, saying “I’m convinced that if the other candidates win, Messi will not remain at Barcelona.”
Speaking to Catalunya Radio on Monday morning, the newly elected president said:
“I am convinced that he wants to stay. And, yes, he has already congratulated me for winning the election. ‘He also won yesterday. We will soon have a quiet talk and decide his future.”
Another target will be Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero. City’s record goalscorer Aguero is out of contract in the summer and available for free, with the 32-year-old yet to discuss an extension at the Etihad.
Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the Champions League last 16, with a 4-1 deficit to make up from the opening leg.
Amid champagne celebrations on Sunday evening, Laporta shouted: “Now let’s go to Paris and see if we can make another ‘remontada’ [comeback] happen!
