BARCELONA (Azat TV) – Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has revealed that club president Joan Laporta ultimately blocked Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated return to Camp Nou in 2023. The revelation comes from comments made by the Spanish coach, indicating that a deal to bring the Argentine superstar back to the club had been in advanced stages of negotiation for five months before being scuttled by the club’s leadership.
Messi’s Barcelona Return Collapsed Due to Presidential Decision
Xavi stated that discussions for Messi’s potential return were extensive and had reached a point where “everything was ready.” However, he attributed the deal’s ultimate failure to a direct refusal from President Laporta. “In the end, the president said no, and the deal collapsed,” Xavi explained, directly implicating Laporta in the thwarted reunion.
Xavi’s Role in Player Signings
The former Barcelona midfielder also shed light on his involvement in player recruitment during his tenure. Xavi confirmed that he was the driving force behind the signing of Brazilian winger Raphinha, expressing his long-standing admiration for the player. “I was the one who told the club to sign Raphinha. I wanted him already when he was in Portugal, I was at Al Sadd…” he recalled. He also shared a moment of reassurance with Raphinha, assuring him of the club’s faith despite any initial frustrations, stating, “Rapha, I signed you for 5 years, calm down! We trust you.” Xavi expressed happiness at Raphinha’s subsequent success at Barcelona.
Attempts to Re-sign Club Legends
Beyond Raphinha, Xavi indicated a broader ambition to reintegrate former club heroes. He mentioned bringing back Dani Alves during his managerial period and also attempted to re-sign Neymar and Pedro Rodríguez. According to Xavi, the economic situation at the club prevented the transfers of Neymar and Pedro, while Messi’s return was specifically blocked by Laporta.
Openness to Coaching Brazil
In a separate comment, Xavi expressed an openness to the possibility of managing the Brazilian national football team in the future. Describing Brazil as “the cradle of football,” he responded positively to the idea, stating, “Yes, why not? I’d be open to that.”
The revelations from Xavi provide a candid look into the decision-making processes and transfer strategies during his time at Barcelona, particularly highlighting the crucial role of the club president in high-profile player acquisitions and returns.