The internal politics of FC Barcelona reached a boiling point on Sunday as former manager Xavi Hernandez alleged that President Joan Laporta deliberately blocked Lionel Messi’s return to the club in 2023. In an explosive interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi claimed that despite receiving financial approval from La Liga, Laporta scuppered the "last dance" to prevent a clash of authority at the Camp Nou.
The timing of the revelations is significant, occurring just days before a high-stakes presidential election where Laporta faces a challenge from Victor Font. Laporta has since fired back, dismissing Xavi’s claims as the bitterness of a manager who "couldn't balance his family with work."
Xavi insists that a deal for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was essentially finalized following Argentina’s World Cup triumph in Qatar.
Leo was signed, in January 2023 after winning the World Cup, we got in touch and he told me he wanted to come back. We had the green light from La Liga (financially), but it was the president who threw it away. 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. And then suddenly Leo stopped answering my calls because he’d been told that it couldn’t be done.Xavi, Former Barcelona Manager & Player
Xavi further alleged that Laporta is a "puppet" to his former brother-in-law, Alejandro Echevarría, who he claims really yields the power at the club.
| Issue | Xavi’s Stance | Laporta’s Stance |
|---|---|---|
| Messi’s Return | Blocked by Laporta to avoid "war." | Rejected by Messi to avoid "pressure." |
| Financial Status | La Liga gave the "green light." | Deal wasn't feasible; Messi chose Miami. |
| Current Success | Flick wins with "my players." | Flick wins because he's better than Xavi. |
| Club Control | Alejandro Echevarría is the real boss. | Laporta makes all difficult decisions. |
Speaking at a presidential debate on Monday, Laporta defended his decision to sack Xavi in 2024 and maintained that the failure to bring Messi back rested solely with the player’s camp.
With Xavi I saw we were going to lose and with [current coach Hansi] Flick that we will win. I understand that [Xavi] is hurt; with the same players Flick wins. Being Barça president is a tough job and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do. 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.Joan Laporta, President, Barcelona
While the war of words between the former and current figureheads intensifies, current manager Hansi Flick has refused to be drawn into the controversy. Flick stated, “I know the truth and I’ll keep it to myself. It is a private matter, like a conversation with my wife.”
Adding another layer to the drama, La Liga President Javier Tebas reportedly disputed Xavi's account, suggesting the league had not given the official green light for Messi’s high-value return under the existing financial fair play regulations.
Record: 672 goals and 34 trophies at Barcelona.
Exit: Messi left for PSG in 2021 before moving to Inter Miami in 2023.
Rejected bid: Laporta claimed Barca recently rejected a €250 million offer from PSG for teenage star Lamine Yamal.
The FC Barcelona membership will head to the polls this Sunday, March 15, to decide if Laporta's "difficult decisions" merit another term or if Victor Font’s promise of structural change will prevail.