In a recent clarification regarding the future of the Catalan giants, former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has dismissed any lingering rumors suggesting a potential reunion between the club and its most iconic player, Lionel Messi.
Speaking with the news outlet La Vanguardia, the former midfield maestro indicated that the door remains firmly shut on a homecoming due to the stance of the current administration. Xavi pointed directly to the club’s leadership, suggesting that President Joan Laporta has no intention of facilitating the Argentine’s return to the Camp Nou.
Regarding the situation, Xavi stated:
“Leo Messi is never coming back to Barcelona, because Laporta doesn’t want that.”
Furthermore, the former manager sought to dispel common misconceptions surrounding the circumstances of Messi’s departure and failed return. He maintained that neither financial demands from the player’s representatives nor regulatory hurdles imposed by LaLiga were the true obstacles in the process.
The timeline of this fractured relationship dates back to August 2021, when Laporta ultimately authorized Messi’s exit following a breakdown in negotiations for a new deal. This led to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner departing as a free agent to sign with Paris Saint-Germain, before eventually making his transition to Major League Soccer with Inter Miami.
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