Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has made sensational claims that club president Joan Laporta actively blocked Lionel Messi’s return to the Catalan giants in 2023, despite receiving formal approval from La Liga. According to Xavi, Laporta personally intervened to nullify the nearly finalised deal, preventing what would have been a historic reunion with the football legend.
In an interview with La Vanguardia, conducted just a week before Barcelona’s presidential elections, Xavi—dismissed from his coaching role in May 2024—revealed that Messi’s return was close to completion at the start of 2023. Following Argentina’s triumph at the Qatar World Cup, Messi reportedly expressed a strong desire to rejoin Barcelona, a sentiment echoed by his father Jorge Messi, who described it as a “dream ending” akin to Michael Jordan’s celebrated Last Dance.
Xavi detailed the sequence of events: “Messi had signed. In January 2023, after the World Cup, we initiated contact. He told me he was excited to return, and I felt it. Discussions continued until March. I told him, ‘Once you give the green light, I will inform the president.’”
Although La Liga had granted full clearance for Messi’s return, Xavi claims that Laporta personally intervened, negotiating directly with Messi’s father and ultimately cancelling the agreement. Xavi recounted Laporta’s rationale: “If Leo returns, he will declare war against me, and I cannot allow that.”
The episode reportedly strained Messi’s relationship with Xavi. “Suddenly, Leo stopped answering my calls because he had been 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 question.”
Over time, relations between Messi and Xavi normalised, though Xavi admitted the situation left lasting tension. “It took some time for Messi to speak to me again. He thought I was part of the plan. It affected our relationship, but now all is well. He understands, yet there was a period when communication was impossible. It is unfortunate, and responsibility lies with those in power.”
Regarding Messi’s future at the club, Xavi was definitive: “Messi will never return, simply because Laporta does not want him back. It is not due to La Liga rules, financial demands, or anything else. Laporta is telling his camp that the club cannot afford him.”
Barcelona is set to hold its presidential election soon, with Laporta seeking a third term, challenged by Victor Font and Marc Serra. The revelations shed light on the complex interplay of club politics and player loyalty, illustrating how internal decision-making can influence even the careers of world-class athletes.
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 |
The disclosure has reignited debate about Barcelona’s internal governance and emphasises the powerful role club politics play in shaping the trajectory of iconic players. Once eagerly anticipated, Messi’s return now appears all but impossible under the current administration.
