Lionel Messi’s inner circle has publicly supported explosive claims made by former FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández about a thwarted return to the Camp Nou giants — a revelation that’s sending shockwaves through the club’s political landscape just days before its presidential election.
In a wide‑ranging interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi said that Messi came very close to re‑signing for Barcelona in early 2023, shortly after leading Argentina to World Cup glory. According to the former Barca midfielder, talks had progressed smoothly and even received approval from league authorities — until club president Joan Laporta intervened.
Xavi alleges that once Laporta took over negotiations with Messi’s representatives, everything changed. Rather than finalizing the move, the president is said to have pulled the plug, warning Xavi that Messi’s return would trigger internal conflict and a “war” within the club hierarchy.
Now, those claims have been corroborated by people close to Messi. Journalist Sique Rodriguez reported on Carrusel Deportivo that Messi’s entourage confirms Xavi’s version of events — saying “the truth is coming out, little by little, and there’s still more to come.” They also emphasised that Messi accepts Xavi’s account of how the deal unraveled.
What Really Happened in 2023?
According to Xavi, discussions with Messi kicked off in January 2023, soon after the Argentine superstar wrapped up his World Cup triumph with Argentina. From then until around March, talks continued — and Messi was reportedly enthusiastic about returning to his boyhood club.
Xavi claims that Barca even had the financial green light from LaLiga and had negotiated directly with Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi. Then, he says, Laporta “backed out,” citing internal politics rather than financial or regulatory concerns. “My interest is to tell the truth,” Xavi said, dismissing prior explanations about league rules or money demands as misleading.
Laporta’s Response
Laporta, who is seeking re‑election, has pushed back strongly against Xavi’s narrative. During an electoral debate, he insisted that Messi’s return failed because the player himself chose a different path. The president said he sent a contract proposal to Jorge Messi, and when Messi’s camp expressed concern over the pressure he would face in Barcelona, the move collapsed — with Messi ultimately signing for Inter Miami instead.
Sources close to LaLiga have also contradicted Xavi’s version of events, with league president Javier Tebas stating that LaLiga never gave formal approval for Messi’s return — calling Xavi’s claim “not true.”
Political Fallout
The timing of these revelations couldn’t be more significant. Barcelona’s presidential election is imminent, and Xavi has openly backed Laporta’s challenger, Víctor Font. With Messi’s camp reinforcing Xavi’s story, critics say the controversy could erode confidence in Laporta’s leadership among club members.
While Messi himself has remained publicly neutral in the election, his stature as the club’s greatest ever player means any narrative involving him carries weight. The issue could influence undecided voters, particularly those who feel nostalgic for the Messi era and frustrated by what they perceive as mismanagement of his potential return.
What This Means for Barça
Whether these claims will affect the election outcome remains to be seen, but the saga has already added fuel to an already heated campaign. Barcelona members now face a choice not just about sporting vision and finances, but about how truth and transparency are defined within the club’s leadership.
In the end, Messi remains at Inter Miami, but the debate over what could have been at Barcelona continues to roil the club’s internal politics and has become one of the most talked‑about controversies in recent club history.