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Joan Laporta has been elected Barcelona’s new president for a second time.

The Spaniard, who presided over the LaLiga giants between 2003 and 2010, won 58.3 per cent of the vote to beat Victor Font (31.3 per cent) and Toni Freixa (9.3 per cent) on Sunday.

Laporta is returning to Barcelona for a second time

AFP or licensors

Laporta is returning to Barcelona for a second time

In his last spell as Barcelona president, Laporta appointed the untested Pep Guardiola as manager, which led to three LaLiga triumphs and two Champions League trophies.

Laporta’s appointment could prove to be a huge development in Lionel Messi’s future.

The Barcelona captain, who has been heavily linked with summer moves to Man City and Paris Saint-Germain, came close to leaving Spain last year, before choosing to stay.

The 33-year-old hit out at former Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu over his running of the club and looked certain to leave when his contract expired at the end of the season.

Messi is considered one of football’s greatest ever players

AFP OR LICENSORS

Messi is considered one of football’s greatest ever players

But one of Laporta’s biggest priorities will be tying Messi to a new deal.

First-team players such as Messi, Jordi Albia, Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, along with club legend Carlos Puyol, placed their votes for the next Barca president.

Voting occurred at the Camp Nou and in Tarragona, Lleida, Girona, Tortosa and Andorra.

Barcelona are second in the LaLiga table and trail leaders Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand, by three points.



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