Xavier Vilajoana: "Barça members are smart because they know they are at risk."

BarcelonaXavier Vilajoana (Barcelona, ​​1973) is once again running for the presidency of Barça. An industrial engineer with ties to the construction industry, he is the only one of the candidates who can boast of having been at La Masia, having captained Barça's futsal team, and, after hanging up his boots, being involved with the club on committees and in Josep Maria Bartomeu's board.

Player and executive. Do you think this is your main asset?

— He's one of them, of course. I've always said that to lead institutions, you need to know them from the inside. The world of football is a behemoth these days. It devours you, it absorbs you... and having knowledge and experience is key. Barça has departments that must be managed professionally, but Barça isn't a business as such. And anyone who wants to run it like a multinational will be mistaken, because they'll be lacking in many areas. I think there aren't many profiles like mine, and I believe I can be a very important asset for Barça.

Are you referring to a specific person when you mention the multinational?

— No, no... But it's a comment that's often made. That "it's like a business." And yes, it must be managed professionally, but there are emotional components from members, from fans... from people in general. That must be taken into account. In addition to Barça's institutional responsibility within the country.

I ask you the other way around: can it be detrimental to you to be reminded that you were a director during Bartomeu's time?

— People might pigeonhole me, but the truth is I've worked with the last three presidents. And I didn't know any of them when they called me to ask me to join the club. But I'm happy for them to recognize my work. I was the director responsible for youth football, for the players who came through La Masia and are now performing so well. Many people have probably been surprised. But not me; I was absolutely certain of their potential. And the same goes for the women's team.

He already tried to become president in 2021, but he didn't reach the required number of signatures. How do you remember it?

— It was a very difficult time, right in the middle of the pandemic, with the board having resigned. My situation and the club's were complicated. I couldn't showcase the value of my work because the results weren't there.

And with the next signature drive approaching, do you have everything ready?

— Fortunately, I already have experience in that area. And yes, we have it pretty much under control, in the sense that we know exactly how to do it.

Unlike in 2021, I have the feeling that the partner is not very mobilized, that they are not thinking about elections or a need for change.

— I believe it's time for people to mobilize. Furthermore, unfortunately, in the last four years, members haven't been given a voice. And I'm not just referring to assemblies. I think members should have a much more active role.

But historically, Barça members have always been conservative. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I see them as passive in these elections.

— I've been listening to them, talking to them, both in person and online, for many months now. And I honestly don't get that feeling. On the contrary, they're very receptive to the idea of a better-managed Barça in every sense. The problem is that people find it difficult to speak out when there aren't elections. Now is the time.

But Laporta comes with at least two league titles, one Cup, two Super Cups, and some big wins against...

— Results are important, but the partner is very smart. He knows perfectly well the risks involved in making decisions based solely on whether the ball goes in or not.

Titles aside, is there anything positive you would highlight from Laporta's term?

— It's clear that hiring Hansi Flick was a success. I don't know if it was intentional or not, but it was a success. Apart from that... little else. The different sections have been neglected until now, with elections looming. He hasn't strengthened the women's team at all; he inherited a ready-made structure. On the contrary, there are players who have to leave because their contracts can't be renewed due to [unclear - possibly "issues" or "issues"]. fair playRevenues remain stagnant and we have a debt of 4 billion which, at this rate, will take us a hundred years to pay off.

Laporta talks about his commitment to the youth academy, but you claim that it is the legacy left by the previous board.

— It wasn't the previous board, it was me. The commitment to the youth academy must be genuine and honest. You should always look to the youth ranks first, not just when you've run out of options or money for signings. I don't understand why the investment in La Masia has been reduced by 40%. This isn't investing in the youth academy. And it must be understood that results aren't immediate. So, if we don't take a step forward, we won't have players developed or so well-prepared for the first team again.

Today, Lamine Yamal, a player from the youth academy, shines brightly. What do you think of how he's being managed?

— I think that with homegrown players, players you've seen grow and establish themselves, the responsibility doesn't end when they sign their first big contract. You have to keep supporting them. Whether it's with Lamine or anyone else. Growing up, maturing, and continuing to develop goes far beyond turning 18.

Do you think he hasn't gotten it?

— I don't know, because I'm not involved. I simply maintain that development doesn't end with the first-team debut. That much is crystal clear to me.

Would you have renewed his contract and made him the highest-paid player on the team?

— I don't know how the negotiations went, but I'm certain that if you're paid more, you're also obligated to prove it. I believe that awards, salaries, and so on, should be earned. We all know Lamine has enormous potential, but he needs to demonstrate it.

A few weeks ago, Víctor Font presented a cross-party movement that aimed to unite the entire opposition. Have you considered joining it?

— I'm not evaluating it right now. I'm not against anyone, and I believe the partner wants projects with a positive outlook. I've embarked on this path with great conviction, and I'll see it through to the end.

I end up asking about Messi. Do you think he'll be decisive in this campaign?

— I don't think any president should claim or appropriate assets that belong to all the club's members. If he wants to, let him do it and say what he wants. He's earned the right to decide and express his opinion at any time. But I don't think he's going to leave.