Barcelona Football Club, often referred to as simply Barcelona or Barça, is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world. The club has a rich history and a passionate fan base, but have you ever wondered who owns this iconic football club? In this article, we will explore the ownership structure of Barcelona Club and shed light on the key individuals involved in running the club.

The Ownership Structure of Barcelona Club

Barcelona Club is owned by its members who are also known as socios. Unlike many other football clubs, Barcelona operates under a unique system known as a socios-owned club or a fan-owned club. Under this system, the socios elect the club president and board members who oversee the day-to-day operations of the club.

The socios own and control the club by being members of various categories, such as full members, honorary members, and shareholders. These members have voting rights in key decisions related to the club, including electing the club president.

The Role of the President

The president of Barcelona Club is a significant figure in the ownership and management structure of the club. The president is elected by the socios and holds a crucial role in shaping the club’s overall direction, making important financial decisions, and appointing key personnel such as coaches and directors.

Some of the notable past presidents include the legendary Joan Gamper, who played a pivotal role in the club’s formation, and recent presidents like Joan Laporta, Sandro Rosell, and Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The Current Owner of Barcelona Club

As the club is fan-owned, it is challenging to attribute ownership to a single individual. However, it is worth noting that the club does have a group of powerful individuals called the Board of Directors who oversee the day-to-day operations.

The current president of Barcelona Club is Joan Laporta, who was elected to the position in March 2021. He served as the club president previously from 2003 to 2010 and has returned to lead the club during a crucial period of transition and rebuilding.

The Board of Directors

The Board of Directors consists of several members who are responsible for managing specific areas of the club. These directors are appointed by the president and work collectively to ensure the smooth functioning of Barcelona Club.

Some of the key positions within the board include the sporting director, responsible for player transfers and the club’s overall sporting strategy, the financial director, overseeing the club’s financial operations, and the marketing director, responsible for commercial partnerships and branding.

Conclusion

Barcelona Club, a fan-owned football club, gives its supporters a unique opportunity to actively participate in the club’s decision-making process. Through the socios system, Barcelona Club truly embodies the idea of a community-oriented institution.

While the ownership of Barcelona Club cannot be attributed to a single person, the current president, Joan Laporta, along with the Board of Directors, play a crucial role in guiding the club towards success on and off the field.

Understanding the ownership structure of Barcelona Club allows fans to appreciate the club’s values and the involvement of its members. As a soccer fan, it’s fascinating to see how the ownership models of football clubs vary across the world, and Barcelona’s socios-owned system is undoubtedly one of the most interesting ones.