Xavi goes to war with Barcelona president with bombshell Lionel Messi claim

Xavi has accused Joan Laporta of blocking Lionel Messi from returning to Barcelona in 2023.

The bombshell claims come just days before Laporta stands for re-election as the club’s president.

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Messi left the Spanish giants in 2021 after a 21-year association at the club to join Paris Saint-Germain.

However, he was set for a dramatic comeback less than two years later, according to then manager Xavi.

The former Barca boss claims Laporta blocked the move as he feared a power struggle with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

As a result, Messi would subsequently join MLS side Inter Miami, where he remains three years later.

Speaking to La Vanguardia, Xavi accused Laporta of lying about Messi’s collapsed return to the Nou Camp.

Xavi claims Laporta blocked Messi reunion

The 46-year-old explained: “The president is lying about what happened with Messi. Leo was signed. In January of 2023, after he had won the World Cup, I spoke to him and he told me he was excited to learn.

“We spoke until March and I told him: ‘Once you give me the okay, I will tell the president because it works perfectly on a football level.’

“The president negotiated the contract with Leo’s dad (Jorge) and we had the green light from LaLiga financially, but it’s the president who pulled out.

“He told me that if Messi came back, he would make a war (against Laporta). My interest is in telling the truth. Leo didn’t come because the president didn’t want him.

“It’s a lie to say it’s because LaLiga (wouldn’t allow it financially) or Jorge Messi asked for more money.

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“It was the president and his people who said they could not allow it, that he (Laporta) has all the power and that Messi would handle that badly.”

Xavi and Messi made 399 appearances together as teammates for Barcelona.

They also won the Champions League four times along with seven LaLiga titles.

After returning to the club as manager himself in 2021, Xavi won another league title in his second season at the helm.

However, his tenure would come to an end after three years at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Xavi’s comments have already been denied by Laporta, however, suggesting the Barca legend being hung up about getting sacked as manager the reason behind his bombshell claims.

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The two-time Barcelona president told RAC1 on Monday: “When I see what Xavi has said, I think about Hansi Flick.

“Being Barca president is a tough job and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do.

“With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose and that with Flick we were going to win. I understand that he’s hurting. With the same players, Flick is winning.

“As for Messi, this is how it was: In 2023, I was told Messi wanted to return and I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that there would be too much pressure back here and that they would prefer to go to Miami.”

Laporta is aiming to be re-elected as club president on Sunday having returned for a second spell in the role in 2021.

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The 63-year-old resigned in February in order to run for re-election as per the club’s election rules.

Members will head to the polls this weekend to chose between Laporta and rival candidate Victor Font.