Barcelona risks “becoming a new AC Milan or a Manchester United”: Victor Font

Barcelona is following the pathway of other teams like AC Milan and Manchester United by becoming a club who is unable to compete at the major honours, said club presidential candidate Victor Font. He will be contesting against the current president Josep Maria Bartomeu in 2021.

Font said Barcelona risks being “one of the most successful clubs in Europe that is now not able to compete for the top titles”.

Font who is preparing for the Presidential project since 2013 highlighted the problems that the Spanish club is going through which includes finding a replacement of the Key Players, renovating the Nou Camp, and dealing with infrastructural changes post-pandemic.

“Competition over the last decade has become more and more professional,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues podcast.

“You see in the Premier League with clubs well managed, and even states owning clubs to put in a lot of money at a time where the finance of the club and economic model is stretched to the limit.

“Unless we do what we are trying, Barca has the risk of becoming a new AC Milan or a Manchester United,” Font added.

 AC Milan won Serie A title last in 2010-11 and Manchester United have not clinched any Premier League title since 2012-13.

He also talked about football giant Lionel Messi and his contribution needed immensely so that the Spanish club can flourish in the future. He wants to ensure that star all-rounder stays with the club even if his contract expires with Barcelona in 2021.

“He is unhappy and doubting what to do next,” Font added.

“We want to ensure he understands if we were to run the club from next summer onwards, we would put all the conditions to equip him in the best possible way so the last years of his career here he can still aspire to win a couple of Champions Leagues.” Font concluded.