Xavi makes stunning claim over Lionel Messi’s failed Barcelona return: ‘Laporta cancelled everything’

Xavi makes stunning claim over Lionel Messi’s failed Barcelona return: ‘Laporta cancelled everything’ Xavi Hernandez is a Barcelona legend in every sense of the word, but his tenure as manager left a bittersweet taste in the mouths of everyone involved. The Spanish tactician came to the Catalan club as manager at a difficult time and initially did a great job, bringing La Liga back to Barça . However, his final season was marred by difficult results, his inability to handle the exit of key superstars and his falling out with Joan Laporta’s board. One of the biggest talking points during Xavi’s tenure was the potential return of Lionel Messi after the expiry of his PSG contract. Messi was genuinely hoping to return to Barcelona after winning the 2022 World Cup, according to Xavi, who has now offered a remarkable account of why the reunion never happened. Messi was very keen to return Speaking on the Prakhat Gupta podcast on YouTube , the former Barcelona coach claimed he was personally in contact with Messi for four months and strongly supported bringing the Argentine legend back to the club. “We were in contact for four months. Messi was very keen to return to Barcelona, and I was 100 per cent in favour of it,” Xavi said. Lionel Messi wanted to return to Barcelona after lifting the World Cup with Argentina. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) The former Barça midfielder suggested the coaching staff were similarly excited by the possibility of working with Messi again. “Messi himself had a lot of hope, and I and the entire coaching staff were also waiting with great expectations,” Xavi said. However, according to Xavi’s version of events, the situation changed because of a decision taken by president Joan Laporta. “But in the end, president Laporta decided that he did not want to sign Messi again,” Xavi said. “Suddenly the president cancelled everything.” Xavi admits decision was difficult to explain to Messi Xavi described the sudden turn of events as both unexpected and personally uncomfortable, particularly because of the conversations he had already held with his former team-mate. “This is true and very strange,” he said. “It was very difficult for me to say to Messi, ‘We will not do it. We will not do it.'” Xavi’s account shows just how difficult it felt for him to navigate one of the most emotional transfer stories in Barcelona’s recent history. Lionel Messi has since gone on to have a great time in the MLS. Messi’s departure in 2021 had already been painful for supporters, so the possibility of him returning after lifting the World Cup naturally created excitement. Xavi’s claim that Messi himself had significant hope of coming back makes the eventual collapse of the move even more painful. It just was not to be For years, when he was setting the stage alight at Barça , Messi could not find a way to replicate those performances with Argentina. However, it was when he had to leave the Catalan club that he went on to succeed with his national team. Maybe it just was not meant to be for Barça and Messi. The last few years of the Argentine maestro’s career were simply meant to be spent away from the club of his life. Regardless, Messi has since gone on to join Inter Miami, create new records in MLS and even produce a record-breaking World Cup campaign just this past summer at 39. Messi will forever be a Barça legend irrespective of who he plays for, but Xavi’s quotes offer insight into what happened during a painful summer at the Catalan club.