Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has made explosive claims that club president Joan Laporta deliberately prevented Lionel Messi from returning to the Catalan side in 2023, despite full approval from La Liga. According to Xavi, Laporta personally nullified the nearly finalised agreement, thwarting what would have been a highly anticipated homecoming for the football superstar.
In a revealing interview with La Vanguardia, conducted just a week before Barcelona’s presidential elections, Xavi—dismissed from his coaching role in May 2024—explained that Messi’s return had been almost complete at the start of 2023. Following Argentina’s triumph at the Qatar World Cup, Messi was reportedly eager to rejoin Barcelona, with his father Jorge describing it as a “dream ending” comparable to Michael Jordan’s iconic Last Dance.
Xavi outlined the sequence of events: “Messi had signed. In January 2023, after the World Cup, we made contact. He told me he was excited to return, and I felt it. We spoke until March. I said, ‘Once you give the green light, I will inform the president.’”
La Liga had granted official approval for Messi’s return, yet Xavi alleges that Laporta personally intervened, negotiating with Messi’s father and ultimately cancelling the deal. Xavi recounted Laporta’s reasoning: “If Leo returns, he will declare war against me, and I cannot allow that.”
The incident reportedly strained Messi’s relationship with Xavi. “Suddenly, Leo stopped taking my calls because he was told it could not happen. I spoke to Jorge Messi and said, ‘This cannot be the case,’ and he advised me to speak to the president. We had been negotiating for five months; Messi’s abilities were never in doubt.”
Though relations eventually normalised, Xavi admitted the episode left a mark. “It took some time for Messi to talk to me again. He thought I was part of the plan. It affected our relationship, but now all is well. He understands, yet for a period, communication was impossible. It is unfortunate, and the responsibility lies with those in power.”
Asked whether Messi would ever return to Barcelona, Xavi was unequivocal: “Messi will never return, simply because Laporta does not want him back. It is not due to La Liga rules, Messi’s financial demands, or anything else. Laporta is telling his camp the club cannot afford him.”
Barcelona is approaching its presidential election, with Laporta seeking a third term, facing challenges from Victor Font and Marc Serra. This revelation casts a spotlight on the intricate politics of the club and its influence over even the most celebrated players.
Messi Return Attempt – Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Lionel Messi |
| Proposed Return | Early 2023 |
| Coach Involved | Xavi Hernández |
| Club President | Joan Laporta |
| La Liga Approval | Granted |
| Outcome | Return blocked by president |
| Reconciliation | Messi and Xavi reconciled later |
| Reason Cited | Laporta claimed conflict with Messi |
This disclosure reignites debate over Barcelona’s internal governance and highlights how club politics can shape the trajectory of iconic players. Messi’s potential return, once eagerly anticipated, now remains an unlikely prospect under the current administration.