Xavi Hernández's latest statements have reignited a heated controversy surrounding the non-return of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona. In an interview given to the Spanish daily newspaper La VanguardiaThe former coach of the club claims that the return of the 2022 world champion was almost finalized before being ultimately blocked by the club president, Joan Laporta.
According to Xavi Hernández, discussions with Lionel Messi began shortly after Argentina's victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The manager explained that he personally spoke with the striker and sensed a genuine desire to return to the club where he spent the majority of his career.
A return that already seemed a done deal.
In his statements, Xavi Hernández claims that negotiations were very advanced at the beginning of 2023. He explains that Lionel Messi was enthusiastic about returning to Barcelona and that the sporting and financial conditions seemed to be in place to complete the operation.
The former Barça coach went even further, indicating that the situation was advanced enough to consider a quick signing. According to him, contacts with the player's entourage and with his father and agent, Jorge Messi, had allowed progress towards an agreement.
Xavi gives the green light from La Liga
Another important point raised by Xavi Hernández concerns the club's regulatory situation. He states that the Spanish La Liga authorities had given their approval in principle to allow the transfer.
According to him, the discussions had made it possible to find a formula compatible with the financial constraints of the Catalan club, which made the return of Lionel Messi plausible from an administrative and economic point of view.
Joan Laporta accused of blocking the operation
The most striking revelation concerns Joan Laporta's final decision. Xavi Hernández claims that it was the FC Barcelona president who ultimately refused to finalize the Argentine player's return.
According to his statements, Joan Laporta feared that Lionel Messi's return could provoke internal conflict and disrupt the balance of power within the club. Xavi Hernández explains that the president even confided in him that Lionel Messi's arrival could trigger a form of " war " within management.
A decision that would also have affected the relationship between Xavi and Messi
Xavi Hernández also acknowledged that this situation had temporarily affected his personal relationship with Lionel Messi. The striker reportedly believed that the coach was partly responsible for blocking his return.
Over time, however, the two former teammates have clarified the situation and their relationship has calmed down.
A still sensitive issue at FC Barcelona
These revelations come several years after Lionel Messi's departure from FC Barcelona in 2021, officially for financial reasons. After two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, the Argentinian ultimately chose to join Inter Miami in 2023.
Xavi Hernández's statements today call into question the official version put forward at the time and fuel a new controversy among supporters of the Catalan club about the real reasons for the failure of the return of the Argentine legend.
