Xavi's Explosive Claims About Messi's Blocked Barcelona Return
Former Barcelona head coach Xavi has launched a blistering attack on club president Joan Laporta, claiming in a controversial interview that the executive deliberately blocked Lionel Messi's emotional return to the Catalan giants in 2023. The revelations come just days before Barcelona's crucial presidential election, where Laporta faces a challenge from Victor Font.
The Messi "Last Dance" That Never Happened
In a wide-ranging conversation with La Vanguardia, Xavi detailed what he describes as a complete breakdown in his relationship with Barcelona's power brokers. The former midfield maestro revealed specific plans for what was supposed to be Messi's "last dance" at Camp Nou, drawing parallels to Michael Jordan's final NBA season.
"The president is lying about what happened with Messi," Xavi stated unequivocally. "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 claims that all necessary approvals were in place, including green lights from LaLiga, but that Laporta personally intervened to scuttle the deal. According to the former coach, Laporta told him directly: "If Messi came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn't allow it."
Power Struggle Allegations and Broken Communication
The situation deteriorated rapidly when Messi stopped answering Xavi's calls. "I spoke to his father Jorge Messi and told him I didn't understand anything," Xavi recounted. "He said, 'Talk to the president.' It was all set, everything was ready."
Xavi's interpretation of events centers on a perceived power struggle. "Messi didn't come to Barca because Laporta didn't want him," he asserted. "It's a lie that his father asked for more or that LaLiga didn't want him. Laporta has all the power at the club and he knew that Messi would manage that power for him."
The former coach made clear he has no intention of returning to Barcelona in any capacity. "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."
Financial Constraints and Structural Concerns
Beyond the Messi saga, Xavi highlighted other frustrations during his tenure. He pointed to financial constraints that hampered his ability to strengthen the squad, specifically mentioning a rejected request to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. The midfielder later joined Arsenal for £55 million.
Xavi also lamented the departure of Jordi Cruyff as sporting director, viewing it as symbolic of the deterioration of a club whose values had long been shaped by the footballing philosophy of Jordi's father, the legendary Johan Cruyff.
Laporta's Response and Election Context
With Barcelona's presidential election scheduled for this Sunday, Laporta has fired back at Xavi's allegations. The incumbent president suggested his opponent Victor Font is "using" Xavi as part of a smear campaign.
"What hurts me is that he allowed himself to be used," Laporta told RAC1. "To hurt me, he's used someone from my inner circle. They defended him even when it was indefensible for him to continue. He's eager to smear me. Behind Xavi, I understand Victor Font is trying to manipulate this electoral process."
Regarding Messi's potential return, 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."
Allegations of Shadow Power and Coaching Decisions
Perhaps the most startling claim from Xavi involves Laporta's former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria. Xavi accused Echevarria of holding real power at Barcelona and influencing key decisions.
"The president got rid of me without telling me the truth, conditioned by a person who is above him, who is Alejandro Echevarría," Xavi claimed. "That's to say, who really got rid of me as coach is Alejandro. He has more power than Laporta, he betrayed me."
Laporta addressed his decision to replace Xavi with Hansi Flick by suggesting the change was performance-based. "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."
The escalating war of words between Barcelona's legendary former midfielder and its current president has exposed deep fractures within the club's leadership just as members prepare to vote on its future direction.
