Laporta responds to Xavi – ‘With the same players he was losing and Flick is winning’ | OneFootball

FC Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta spoke very clearly during the electoral debate organised by Grupo Godo regarding the statements made by Xavi Hernández in his interview with La Vanguardia.

The former midfielder and manager launched a scathing attack on the ex-president, blaming him for Lionel Messi’s failed return in 2023, while also stating that Laporta’s close aide, Alejandro Echevarria, runs things at the club.

Laporta’s response

Speaking at the debate, Laporta claimed he was hurt by Xavi’s comments and stood by his decision to part ways with the former manager.

“I was surprised and hurt. When I see these statements from Xavi, I think of Flick. It’s hard to be president of Barça and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do,” said Laporta.

Continuing, he added: “With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose, and with Flick, I see that we are going to win. I understand that he is hurt. With the same players, Xavi was losing, and Flick is winning.”

Laporta then claimed that Xavi was letting himself be used by the other presidential candidate, Victor Font.

“It hurts me that he allowed himself to be used and that he attacked Alejandro Echevarria to hurt me. Echevarría and Yuste defended Xavi’s continuity until the end,” he said.

Laporta has hit back at Xavi. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Behind Xavi, there is someone who is using him, and that is Víctor Font. He is trying to muddy the waters. The complaint from a member also worked in his favour, it gave him credibility.”

Reaffirming his stance, Laporta added: “These are the three hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Messi, Koeman and Xavi. I did it with Barça’s interests at heart. I had two of them as players and these are decisions you have to make. They are legends of Barça.

“Barça cannot be run with a computer, it’s about feeling. Barça is above players and presidents.”

Addressing the comments made by Xavi regarding his departure, Laporta noted: “Xavi explains in the interview the reasons why I fired him. He became complacent and couldn’t balance his professional and personal life.

“He said that Barça wouldn’t be competitive with Real Madrid. He asked to change players, and I told him he couldn’t continue. Important players that he didn’t see as competitive. Xavi was dissatisfied with the squad and the referees.

“He said the squad wasn’t competitive. It was a recurring theme.”

On the Messi topic, he added: “It was the same with Messi: when we couldn’t renew his contract, due to financial reasons, in 2023 he told me that Messi wanted to return.

“I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who later came to my house and told me that he would have too much here – ‘pressure.'”

Source: Mundo Deportivo