Xavi Exposes Laporta's Role in Messi's Failed Barcelona Return
In a shocking revelation, former Barcelona head coach Xavi has declared he will never return to the club, citing a major dispute with President Joan Laporta. Xavi accused Laporta of deliberately blocking Lionel Messi's planned hero's return in 2023, allegedly due to fears of a power struggle within the club.
The Messi Deal That Never Was
Speaking candidly in an interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi detailed the breakdown of his relationship with Laporta and the failed efforts to bring Messi back to Barcelona. "The president is lying about what happened with Messi," Xavi stated. "Leo was signed. In January of 2023, I contacted him after he won the World Cup, and he told me he was excited about coming back. We talked until March, and I told him, 'When you give me the OK, I'll tell the president.'"
Xavi explained that while La Liga had approved the move, Laporta abruptly canceled it. "We had the green light from La Liga, but Laporta threw everything out. He told me, verbatim, that if Messi came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn't allow it."
Communication Breakdown and Betrayal
The situation escalated when Messi stopped responding to Xavi's calls. "I tried to talk to Leo and he wouldn't answer the phone. I spoke to his father, Jorge Messi, and told him I didn't understand anything, and he said, 'Talk to the president.' It was all set, it was going to be his 'last dance,' like Michael Jordan, everything was ready."
Xavi emphasized that Messi's absence was solely Laporta's decision, dismissing claims about financial or league issues. "Messi didn't come to Barca because Laporta didn't want him. It's a lie that his father asked for more or that La Liga didn't want him. Laporta has all the power at the club, and he knew that Messi would manage that power for him."
Additional Grievances and Power Dynamics
Beyond the Messi saga, Xavi highlighted other frustrations during his tenure, including financial constraints that affected team performance. He noted that a request to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad was rejected, with the midfielder later joining Arsenal for £55 million.
Xavi also accused Laporta of being influenced by Alejandro Echevarria, Laporta's former brother-in-law, whom he claims holds real power at Barcelona. "Laporta convinced me to stay when I had said in January I was leaving. He told me: 'I don't see the team without you.' The president got rid of me without telling me the truth, conditioned by a person who is above him, who is Alejandro Echevarría. That's to say, who really got rid of me as coach is Alejandro. He has more power than Laporta; he betrayed me."
Laporta's Response and Election Context
Xavi's comments emerge just before Barcelona's presidential election, where Laporta seeks re-election against Victor Font. Club members will vote on Sunday to decide the outcome.
Laporta has responded to Xavi's allegations, suggesting bitterness over his successor's success. "When I see what Xavi has said, I think about Hansi Flick," Laporta told RAC1. "Being Barca president is a tough job and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do. With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose and that with Flick we were going to win. I understand that he's hurting. With the same players, Flick is winning."
Regarding Messi, Laporta offered a different account: "In 2023, I was told Messi wanted to return, and I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that there would be too much pressure back here and that they would prefer to go to Miami."
Xavi concluded firmly on his future with Barcelona: "I'm never going back to Barca. I've already done my time as a player and coach. Now I just want to tell the truth."
