Xavi claims Joan Laporta blocked Lionel Messi's Barcelona return in 2023
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In a revealing interview with La Vanguardia, the Barcelona legend alleged that a deal to bring Messi back to Camp Nou was effectively completed before Laporta intervened and cancelled the move - a claim that has sparked a fierce public dispute involving the club's hierarchy and La Liga officials.
The bombshell accusations come just days before Barcelona's presidential elections, intensifying political tensions within the club.
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Read This Next →Key takeaways
- Xavi claims Barcelona had nearly finalised Messi's 2023 return before Laporta blocked the deal.
- Laporta insists Messi rejected the offer due to pressure, not boardroom interference.
- La Liga president Javier Tebas denies the league ever approved Messi's move.
Xavi: "Messi's return was 'a done deal"
According to Xavi, discussions about Messi's return began shortly after the Argentine's triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.The former Spain international said Messi was enthusiastic about returning to the club where he spent most of his career and even envisioned a symbolic farewell season.
We talked for months. I told him we would do a last dance like [Michael] Jordan's.Xavi claimed the sporting plan was clear and that negotiations with Messi's father, Jorge Messi, were progressing positively.
He insisted Barcelona believed it had secured approval from La Liga regarding financial regulations.
However, the deal suddenly collapsed.
According to Xavi, Laporta personally decided to stop the move.
The president started negotiating with Leo's father and then threw everything out. He told me that if Messi came back he would wage war against him.Xavi also revealed the episode temporarily damaged his relationship with Messi, who initially believed the former team-mate had been involved in blocking the transfer.
Messi ultimately joined Inter Miami
When Messi's contract with Paris Saint‑Germain expired in the summer of 2023, he instead chose to sign for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.The move ended months of speculation linking the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner with an emotional return to Barcelona.
Messi originally left the Catalan club in 2021 due to financial restrictions and salary cap issues imposed by La Liga.
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Laporta hits back at Xavi
Laporta has strongly rejected Xavi's version of events, insisting the decision ultimately rested with Messi himself.Speaking during a heated presidential debate against rival candidate VÃctor Font, Laporta claimed the club had presented a contract offer to Messi's camp.
According to Laporta, Messi declined the opportunity due to concerns about the pressure of returning to Barcelona.
In May, he told me it couldn't happen because he would be under too much pressure here and preferred to go to Miami.The Barcelona president also criticised Xavi's tenure as head coach, suggesting the former midfielder struggled to manage the demands of the role and had become dissatisfied with the squad.
La Liga president disputes claim
The dispute widened further when La Liga president Javier Tebas denied that the league had ever approved Messi's potential return.Speaking on TVE's Estudio Estadio, Tebas dismissed Xavi’s assertion outright.
It is not true. La Liga did not authorise absolutely anything nor give the OK.His comments directly contradict Xavi's claim that financial fair play approval had already been secured.
Internal power struggles exposed
Xavi also accused Laporta of misleading him during his final months as Barcelona head coach before his dismissal in May 2024.The 46-year-old suggested that influential advisor Alejandro EchevarrÃa was effectively controlling major decisions at the club.
That's how this Barça works. It's practically run by Alejandro EchevarrÃa.Laporta dismissed the accusations and argued that Xavi's remarks were motivated by resentment following his departure.
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Shop Featured Deals (Fast Checkout)A deepening rift at Barcelona
The public war of words highlights the ongoing tensions within Barcelona's leadership ahead of the upcoming presidential vote.What began as a discussion about Messi's potential return has evolved into a broader clash over governance, sporting decisions and the club's future direction.
For many supporters, the possibility that Messi could have made a final appearance in Barcelona colours remains one of the club's most painful "what-ifs."
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