Xavi Claims Laporta Blocked Messi’s Barcelona Return After World Cup
Sports Updated: 09 March 2026 23:26 EAT
Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez and the club president Joan Laporta
Former Xavi Hernández has claimed that Lionel Messi was close to returning to FC Barcelona in 2023 following Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the move was ultimately blocked by club president Joan Laporta.
Speaking to the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi said negotiations for Messi’s return progressed significantly after the World Cup victory in Qatar. At the time, Messi was nearing the end of his contract with Paris Saint‑Germain and was considering his next destination.
Xavi said the plan to bring the Argentine forward back to Barcelona had gathered momentum inside the club. According to him, discussions were already underway regarding how the team would integrate Messi again after his emotional exit in 2021.
“Leo Messi back to Barcelona was a done deal after that World Cup won by Argentina. It was done,” Xavi said in the interview.
The former Barcelona coach added that regulatory issues were not initially seen as a major barrier. He indicated that the club had already consulted with La Liga about the possibility of registering Messi under the league’s financial rules.
“We also had La Liga’s green light and Messi wanted to return… but Laporta stopped the signing,” Xavi said.
The Spaniard explained that the decision ultimately came from the club president, who was concerned about the financial and internal implications of re-signing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Laporta told me that if Leo came back, there would be a wage war and he couldn't afford that,” Xavi said.
Barcelona had been dealing with strict financial controls imposed by La Liga at the time, following years of heavy spending and rising wage commitments. The club had already been forced to let Messi leave in 2021 because it could not register his new contract under the league’s salary cap regulations.
After leaving PSG in 2023, Messi eventually chose to sign for Inter Miami CF in the Major League Soccer, ending hopes of a romantic return to Barcelona during the later stages of his career.
The claims by Xavi have reignited debate among Barcelona supporters about the circumstances that prevented the club’s greatest player from making a final appearance at the Camp Nou before its ongoing redevelopment.
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FELIX MAKONA
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