Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has claimed that club president Joan Laporta prevented Lionel Messi from returning to the club in 2023 to avoid a potential power struggle.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, left Barcelona in 2021 due to financial difficulties at the club and joined Paris Saint-Germain before later moving to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi revealed that discussions for Messi’s return began shortly after the Argentine star won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
“Leo was signed. In January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back,” Xavi said.
According to the former Barcelona midfielder, the club had already received financial clearance from La Liga to complete the deal.
However, Xavi claimed Laporta personally halted the move.
“Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow that,” Xavi said.
He added that after the conversation, Messi stopped responding to his calls, suggesting he had been informed the transfer would not happen.
Xavi also said the club had planned what he described as a “last dance” for Messi at Barcelona, comparing it to the farewell season of Michael Jordan in the NBA.
Laporta responds
Laporta rejected Xavi’s claims, suggesting the former coach was speaking out of frustration.
According to him, Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi had indicated that the forward preferred not to return due to the pressure surrounding the move.
“I understand that Xavi is hurt — with the same players Hansi Flick wins,” Laporta said during a presidential debate.
Laporta also revealed that Barcelona turned down a €250 million offer from PSG for teenage sensation Lamine Yamal reportedly made in 2024.
Messi remains Barcelona’s greatest player statistically, scoring 672 goals and winning a club-record 34 trophies during his time at the Camp Nou.
