Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president on Sunday after winning the club's elections by a landslide, with his central pledge to try to persuade Lionel Messi to stay.

Barca given fresh start as Laporta elected new club president

Barcelona will hold presidential elections on January 24 after the managerial committee which has run the club since Josep Maria Bartomeu's October resignation agreed on the date.

Barca confirm presidential elections on January 24

With Barcelona`s glory days rapidly becoming a fading memory, presidential hopeful Victor Font believes luring former midfield great Xavi Hernandez back to the club would spark another golden age for the Catalans.

Xavi can be Barca's Alex Ferguson, says presidential hopeful