Xavi, the former manager of FC Barcelona, has stated that he will not return to the club following a disagreement with president Joan Laporta. He alleges that Laporta blocked Lionel Messi's planned return to Barcelona in 2023, driven by concerns over a power shift within the club.
In an interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi detailed the deterioration of his relationship with the club's president and shared specifics about an unsuccessful initiative to bring club icon Messi back to Barcelona in 2023. Xavi contended that Laporta's account of the Messi situation was untrue, stating, 'The president is lying about what happened with Messi.'
He elaborated that arrangements were made for Messi's return after the 2022 World Cup, with the player expressing enthusiasm. Xavi indicated that by March 2023, he had secured Messi's agreement and was awaiting the president's final approval to inform him. However, Xavi asserted that Laporta dismissed the entire plan, despite having received a green light from La Liga.
Xavi quoted Laporta as saying that Messi's return would provoke a 'war against him' and that he could not permit it. The former coach also recounted attempts to communicate with Messi, who reportedly did not answer his calls, and discussions with Messi's father, Jorge Messi, who advised him to speak with the president. Xavi described the situation as being 'all set' for Messi's 'last dance,' comparing it to Michael Jordan's career finale.
'I’m never going back to Barca. I’ve already done my time as a player and coach. Now I just want to tell the truth,' Xavi stated. He reiterated his belief that Messi's return was prevented because Laporta did not desire it, dismissing claims that Messi's father requested additional terms or that La Liga opposed the move. Xavi suggested that Laporta, holding significant influence at the club, feared Messi's potential to leverage his position.
Furthermore, Xavi alluded to financial challenges affecting his team's performance during his tenure. He mentioned a rejected proposal to acquire Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a player who later transferred to Arsenal for £55 million.
During the interview, Xavi also accused Laporta of being unduly influenced by his former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarria, whom he identified as the individual who truly wielded power at Barcelona.
Xavi recalled that Laporta had persuaded him to remain as coach in January, stating, 'I don't see the team without you.'
'The president got rid of me without telling me the truth, conditioned by a person who is above him, who is Alejandro Echevarría. That's to say, who really got rid of me as coach is Alejandro,' Xavi asserted. He concluded by stating, 'He (Echevarria) has more power than Laporta; he betrayed me.'
These statements surface shortly before Barcelona's presidential election, where Laporta is seeking re-election. Club members are scheduled to vote between Laporta and Victor Font on Sunday.
In response, Laporta suggested that Xavi's remarks stem from bitterness over his successor, Hansi Flick, achieving greater success. Laporta told RAC1 that managing Barcelona is challenging and requires difficult decisions, emphasizing that he made necessary choices.
'With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose and that with Flick we were going to win. I understand that he's hurting. With the same players, Flick is winning,' Laporta commented.
Regarding Messi's potential return, Laporta stated, 'In 2023, I was told Messi wanted to return, and I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that there would be too much pressure back here and that they would prefer to go to Miami.'
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