Xavi reveals all: Why Messi didn’t return to Barça despite agreement | OneFootball

After the 2022 World Cup, there were rumors that Lionel Messi would return to FC Barcelona. Instead, in the following summer, he transferred to the MLS to join Inter Miami. 

Barça legend Xavi, who was the coach of the Catalans at the time, has now revealed explosive details about the failed return of the superstar. "Even there, Laporta is not telling the truth. Leo was under contract. In January 2023, after he became world champion, we got in touch, and he told me that he was looking forward to his return, and then I saw him," said the 46-year-old in an interview with 'La Vanguardia'.

"Laporta had already negotiated the contract with Leo's father, and we also had the green light from La Liga, but it was the president who let everything fall apart," Xavi explained, also mentioning the alleged reason. "Laporta told me that in the event of Leo's return, there would be a salary battle, and he couldn't afford that. And then Leo suddenly stopped answering the phone because he was told otherwise that it wasn't possible." 

The statements are not without reason. As is well known, the presidential elections at FC Barcelona are just around the corner. Xavi is a supporter of Víctor Font, the opposing candidate to Joan Laporta. The explosive statements could thus have an impact on the election results. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

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