Tensions surrounding Lionel Messi’s failed return to FC Barcelona in 2023 have resurfaced after Xavi Hernandez made explosive claims in a recent interview. However, those statements have now been strongly rejected by Javier Tebas, who insists that the Spanish league never approved such a move.
The controversy began when Xavi spoke to Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, revealing what he described as behind-the-scenes details of Messi’s attempted comeback to Barcelona. According to the former Barça manager, the club had progressed significantly in negotiations and had even received a green light from La Liga despite Barcelona’s complicated Financial Fair Play situation at the time.
Xavi claimed that the club president, Joan Laporta, had already begun discussing contract terms with Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi. The manager suggested that everything was moving in the right direction before the deal suddenly collapsed.
“The president started negotiating the contract with Leo’s father, and we had the green light from La Liga,” Xavi said during the interview. “But in the end, it was the president who abandoned the plan.”
Xavi went even further, claiming Laporta feared that Messi’s return would create internal tensions at the club. According to the former midfielder, the president personally told him that bringing the Argentine legend back could spark conflicts that he wanted to avoid.
However, Tebas has now publicly contradicted that version of events. Speaking in an interview on Spanish television program Telediario, the La Liga president dismissed the claim that the league had authorised the operation.
“It’s not true,” Tebas said firmly. “La Liga did not authorise anything whatsoever, nor was there any kind of approval.”
Tebas’ response adds another layer of controversy to a situation that has already divided opinions among Barcelona supporters. His statement directly challenges Xavi’s narrative and raises further questions about what truly happened behind closed doors during the attempted reunion with Messi.
The timing of the dispute is also significant. Barcelona is approaching an important presidential election, and Xavi has publicly shown support for Victor Font, who is challenging Laporta’s leadership. Some observers believe the resurfacing of the Messi story may be influencing the political battle surrounding the club’s future.
Laporta himself has also addressed the issue, offering a different explanation for why Messi never returned to the club he left in 2021. According to the Barcelona president, the decision ultimately came from Messi’s side rather than the club’s.
Laporta revealed that after initial discussions about a potential comeback, he sent a contract proposal to Jorge Messi. The Argentine star’s father later visited Laporta to discuss the situation personally.
During that meeting, Laporta claims Jorge Messi explained that returning to Barcelona would bring enormous pressure for his son.
“He told me that Leo would have too much pressure here,” Laporta said, suggesting that this concern played a major role in Messi choosing not to return.
The Barcelona president also accused Font of using Xavi to create confusion during the election campaign, claiming the situation was being politicised to damage his leadership.
For now, the truth behind Messi’s near-return remains disputed. With conflicting accounts from Xavi, Tebas, and Laporta, the episode has once again highlighted the complex politics surrounding Barcelona and the emotional legacy of the club’s greatest-ever player.