Former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has dropped a bombshell revelation regarding the failed return of Lionel Messi to the club in 2023. Xavi claimed that the club’s president, Joan Laporta, deliberately scuppered the deal to prevent a potential power struggle. This disclosure has reignited the debate over the circumstances that led the Argentine superstar to join Inter Miami instead.
The secret negotiations for the last dance
Xavi revealed in a recent interview that he was in constant contact with Messi after the forward won the World Cup in Qatar. According to the former coach, Messi was excited about the prospect of a “last dance” at the Camp Nou and had given his green light. The club had reportedly secured the necessary financial approvals from La Liga to make the transfer a reality.
However, Xavi alleged that Laporta backed out of the agreement at the last minute, fearing that Messi’s presence would overshadow his own authority. The coach claimed the president told him that having Messi back would be like “waging a war” within the management. This decision effectively ended the hopes of millions of fans who were dreaming of a homecoming for their greatest idol.
Laporta’s response to the allegations
In response to these claims, Joan Laporta has suggested that Xavi is simply bitter following his recent dismissal from the managerial role. The president argued that it was Messi’s camp that ultimately decided against the move due to the immense pressure of the Spanish league. He maintained that the club did everything possible to accommodate the return within its economic constraints.
Laporta noted that the club is now moving in a new direction under Hansi Flick and that the focus should be on the future. He defended his leadership by stating that difficult decisions must be made to protect the long-term interests of the institution. This public back-and-forth between the president and the former coach has exposed deep divisions within the Barcelona hierarchy.
The impact of the decision on the club’s legacy
The failure to bring Messi back remains a sensitive topic for the Barcelona faithful, many of whom still feel a sense of betrayal. Xavi’s comments have added weight to the theory that the superstar’s exit was more about internal politics than financial necessity. The “The Last Dance” that many had hoped for has now become a symbol of what might have been.
As the club prepares for new presidential elections, the “Messi ghost” continues to haunt the current administration. Critics argue that the loss of the world’s best player has had a significant impact on the club’s commercial value and on-field performance. For now, Messi continues to thrive in the United States, while Barcelona struggles to find its identity without him.
