Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has suggested that club president Joan Laporta played a pivotal role in preventing Lionel Messi’s return to the team three years ago.
As reported by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano on his official X account, Xavi stated that a deal for Messi to rejoin Camp Nou following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory was practically finalized.
Romano’s statement:
Xavi: “Leo Messi is never returning to Barcelona simply because Laporta doesn’t want that”. “It not because of La Liga or Jorge Messi is asking for money, that’s all a lie”, told La Vanguardia. “It’s Laporta who is telling his camp that the club can’t afford him”.
Xavi elaborated that Laporta personally communicated to him that the decision against finalizing the move was due to financial concerns and possible wage disputes within the squad.
“Laporta told me that if Leo came back, there would be a wage war and he couldn’t afford that,”
he continued.
Softfootball reported that this thwarted reunion is regarded as a highly contentious event in Barcelona’s recent past. Messi departed the Catalan side in 2021 after contract negotiations collapsed, primarily due to the club’s financial issues and restrictions from La Liga.
At that time, Messi had allegedly agreed to a new contract before the club unexpectedly retracted the offer on the scheduled signing day. Subsequently, the Argentine player joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami CF in 2023.
Laporta had earlier contended that the inability to re-sign Messi stemmed from stringent salary cap rules enforced by La Liga. However, Xavi’s recent comments raise questions about that narrative, indicating the league had already approved the transfer.
According to Xavi, discussions between Laporta and Messi’s father had advanced significantly before the president ultimately decided against the agreement.
The timing of these comments has added to the interest, as Barcelona is nearing critical presidential elections slated for next week. Xavi has expressed support for presidential contender Víctor Font, who is running against Laporta in the upcoming election.
Despite the political context surrounding his statements, Xavi dismissed rumors suggesting he has made any arrangements to return to the club should Font win.
Nonetheless, this interview has reignited discussions among Barcelona fans, especially considering Laporta’s 2021 campaign promise to retain Messi. For many supporters, the implication that the president personally thwarted Messi’s return may feel like a serious betrayal.
In the meantime, on the field, Barcelona recently achieved a vital 1–0 victory over Athletic Club in Round 27 of La Liga on March 7, 2026.
The winning goal came in the 68th minute from rising star Lamine Yamal, who made the decisive play following an assist from Pedri.
Yamal continues to prove himself as one of Barcelona’s most impactful players this season, demonstrating impressive ball intelligence, adept movement off the ball, and the ability to create crucial scoring chances.
