Xavi Hernandez, the former coach of FC Barcelona, has criticized the club's president, Joan Laporta, for allegedly blocking Lionel Messi's return to the team roughly two and a half years ago. In a recent interview with the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi claimed that all arrangements concerning Messi's return in the summer of 2023, after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired, were in place. However, he accuses Laporta of retracting the offer out of concern over authority conflicts within the club, labeling the president as untruthful regarding the situation.

During the interview, Xavi stated that Messi was eager to return to Barcelona, having communicated with him in January 2023, after Messi's World Cup victory. He noted that Messi expressed enthusiasm about the potential return, and they engaged in discussions until March, wherein Xavi assured Messi he would inform Laporta once he received the green light. While they received approval from La Liga regarding the financial aspects necessary for the deal, it was ultimately Laporta who stepped back from the agreement, leading to Messi's continued tenure at PSG.

This revelation from Xavi sheds light on internal conflicts within one of football's most prestigious clubs and raises questions about Laporta's leadership and decision-making. The impact of Messi's potential return could have significantly altered Barcelona's trajectory, making this a critical issue within the context of the club's competitive strategy and its relationship with its legendary player who left during a financial crisis. Xavi's statements could lead to further scrutiny of Laporta's past promises and commitments to the club and its fans, particularly in light of Messi's recent performances on the global stage.