Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has revealed why Lionel Messi did not return to the Spanish club, saying club president Joan Laporta blocked the move despite an agreement.
In an interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi claimed that plans were already in place for Messi to rejoin Barcelona after the forward won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina national football team.
According to Xavi, he began discussions with Messi in January 2023 and the player was excited about the idea of returning to the club where he became a legend.
“We talked for months and everything was ready. I saw it as a good move from a football perspective,” Xavi said.
However, the former midfielder alleged that Laporta later stopped the deal. Xavi claimed the Barcelona president told him that allowing Messi to return could create serious problems at the club.
Xavi also accused the club leadership of launching a media campaign against him before his exit and claimed that people within the club spoke to players suggesting he wanted to sell them.
The Barcelona legend, who has already declared support for presidential candidate Víctor Font ahead of the club’s upcoming elections, said he does not expect to return to Barcelona again after serving the club as both a player and coach.





