Laporta snapped at Xavi: Messi did not return to Barcelona because of the pressure. Someone is controlling you

Xavi’s claims about Messi’s return

Let’s recall that Xavi made public claims that attracted a lot of attention. He stated that the return of Lionel Messi in 2023, after the Argentine won the World Cup, was practically agreed upon. According to his words, there was a verbal agreement, financial approval from La Liga and Messi’s huge desire to have a “last dance” in Barcelona, ​​following the example of Michael Jordan. However, Xavi claims that it was Laporta who stopped the whole deal due to, as he states, the fear of losing control in the club.

​- The president is not telling the truth. Leo was signed. Laporta literally told me that if Leo comes back, he will declare war on him and that he cannot allow that – he apologized to Xavi and added:

​- Leo didn’t come back because the president didn’t want him. It wasn’t about La Liga or money, it was a lie. It was about him having all the powerć and that Messi would handle it badly.

Laporta’s answer and the other side of the story

Laporta did not wait long for an answer. During an interview with Victor Fonta, he said that Xavi’s words “surprised and hurt” him, but he immediately presented his arguments, citing the successes of current coach Hansi Flick.

​- When I see those statements, I think of Flick. It is difficult to be the president of Barca because you have to make difficult decisions. With Xavi, I saw that we would continue to lose, and with Flick, I saw that we would win. I understand that he is injured, but the fact is that the same players who lost with him are now winning with Flick.

Laporta rejected accusations that he blocked Messi’s arrival and offered a completely different version of the story.

​- In March 2023, we prepared the contract and sent it to Jorge Messi. In May, Jorge came to my house and told me that Leo won’t come back because the pressure here would be too much and that they prefer to go to Miami – explained Laporta.

He didn’t stop there, butć made the claim that Xavi is being used by his political rival.

​- It pains me that he allows himself to be used and attacks Alejandro Echevarría to harm me. Behind Xavi is the person pulling the strings, and I believe it is Víctor Font. He is trying to muddy the waters in this election process.

He also referred to the reasons why Xavi was fired in the summer of 2024, just a few weeks after he convinced him to stay at the famous “sashimi dinner”.

​- He became self-absorbed and could not balance professional and family life. He said that our team is not competitive enough to fight with Real Madrid. He was constantly dissatisfied with the playing staff and referees. I told him that he could not continue like this.