Xavi dedicated a significant portion of his interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia on 8/3 to criticizing former Barcelona President Laporta. The most contentious detail involved Messi, with Xavi stating: "Leo could not return to Barcelona after the 2022 World Cup because the President did not want him, not because of La Liga or because Mr. Jorge Messi demanded more money. It was all a lie. The President and his faction rejected him, fearing Leo would undermine their power."

Xavi during a joint press conference with Laporta (center). Photo: AFP

This revelation directly contradicts Xavi's own statements in 2023, when he said the Argentine superstar chose not to return to Camp Nou to "avoid pressure." Laporta also mentioned this detail in his book, "Asi salvamos al Barça" (How We Saved Barca), which was released on 24/2, and during a debate on 9/3 with candidate Victor Font for the Barcelona presidential race.

On 8/6/2023, the day after Messi confirmed his move to Inter Miami, Xavi, who had just led Barcelona to the La Liga title, told the Jijantes program: "The decision to return to Barcelona largely depended on Leo's desire, but circumstances were not favorable. He chose to go to Miami, and we respect that. Furthermore, Leo wanted to reduce pressure, and if he came back here, the pressure would be at its highest."

In his latest interview, Xavi also asserted that after Argentina won the 2022 World Cup, Messi was enthusiastic, and negotiations continued until March 2023. "Laporta began contract negotiations with Leo's father," Xavi recounted. "We received the green light from La Liga, but it was Laporta who reneged and stopped everything."

However, La Liga President Javier Tebas has refuted this claim. He denied that the league ever "gave the green light" to the idea of Messi returning to Barcelona that year. Speaking to Spanish television channel RTVE on 9/3, Tebas emphasized: "That is not true. La Liga did not approve anything and never gave an economic nod as Xavi stated."

Meanwhile, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas spoke to Spanish newspaper El Pais in early July 2023, about a month after the Florida-based club secured Messi's signature. Mas detailed the negotiation process with the Argentine superstar.

"It was a long process," Mas said. "I pursued him for three years, intensely for the past one and a half years. There were many conversations with Messi's father. By late May 2023, I saw the deal taking shape. David Beckham also spoke with Messi, but purely about football because he was still playing for PSG at the time. We did not want him to feel pressured. We negotiated in Barcelona, Miami, Rosario, Doha... I spent the entire World Cup in Qatar following Argentina."

Another influential figure, Spanish media mogul Jaume Roures, who has been involved for many years in producing La Liga matches through his company Mediapro, also weighed in on the controversy. Speaking on Catalonia TV3 on 9/3, Roures accused Xavi of "twisting the truth."

"From what I know, the story that La Liga agreed to Messi's contract is completely fabricated," Roures affirmed. "I was involved when Messi left Barcelona in 2021, and La Liga did not want him to leave then. But for them to agree to a hypothetical contract in 2023 is definitely not true. While I am on the subject, if I were Xavi, seeing the President reject a player for personal reasons, I would immediately resign out of self-respect."

Messi was introduced at Inter Miami on 16/7/2025. Photo: Reuters

Roures, who financially supported Laporta's election campaign in 2021, also revealed a detail about Xavi's change in attitude. "I once had dinner with Laporta on the day he decided to retain Ronald Koeman right after winning his second term. That evening, Xavi called Laporta five or six times to express absolute loyalty to Laporta and criticize Victor Font. That attitude is completely contrary to what he said in his recent interview."

Finally, Roures also mentioned Alejandro Echevarria, whom Xavi described as "having more power than Laporta" at Barcelona and influencing all matters. Roures admitted he had never seen Laporta's former brother-in-law and advisor in meetings deciding important issues. "I only saw him in the honorary box," Roures concluded.

Another ambiguous issue in Xavi's interview concerned the departure of former Barcelona Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff, son of the late legend Johan Cruyff, at the end of June 2023.

"When Sergio Busquets left Barcelona, I requested to sign Martin Zubimendi, but the management refused for economic reasons. Then, Jordi left due to the lack of respect they showed him. Remember, he is the son of legend Johan. They are the ones who always uphold the Cruyff philosophy," Xavi stated in the La Vanguardia interview.

However, in an interview with American newspaper The Athletic on 22/6/2023, Jordi himself said he left his position as Barcelona Sporting Director because he wanted to return to his preferred coaching role.

"Barcelona called me when the club was in a difficult situation, and I always intended to answer that call, because I have a very special affection for this place. The club offered me a longer-term contract, but I chose to sign a short-term one because I felt I would soon return to the coaching bench. This was not a sudden decision, but the result of months of thought. That is what I want to do right now. It does not mean I do not want to be a Sporting Director anymore. I am ready for both roles, but currently, I prioritize returning to coaching. I analyzed various options, and the core issue was choosing a project that truly suited me," Jordi affirmed.

Two months ago, while participating in Gary Neville's "The Overlap" program on Sky Sports, Jordi reiterated what he had told The Athletic nearly three years prior.

Xavi backs Victor Font

Xavi is currently an ally of Font, Laporta's sole opponent in the Barcelona presidential election on 15/3. The former elegant midfielder appeared at the launch of Font's project and provided his signature as a member to help the candidate pass the preliminary signature collection round. The two have even been business partners since 2019 through a football statistics software project.

Xavi participates in the launch of Font's project for the Barcelona presidential candidacy. Photo: ara

Despite his efforts to support Font, Xavi affirmed that he would not join the leadership if his friend were elected. Instead, he prioritizes other goals. "I do not think I will ever return to Barcelona again," Xavi said in the recent interview. "My chapter as a player and coach here has closed."

When asked if he feared being accused of opportunism, directly impacting the Barcelona presidential election, Xavi asserted: "My only desire is to tell the truth. What I want is for the members to understand what is truly happening inside Barcelona. With all sincerity, I believe the club needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom, from its top structure to its operational professionalism. For me, everything is very clear, and the fans need to hear it directly from me. We cannot depend on people lacking integrity."

Xavi led Barcelona to win La Liga in 2023, but the team later fell into crisis. The coach announced his resignation in January 2024, then withdrew the decision in April at Laporta's request. By May, a sudden "U-turn" occurred when Laporta fired Xavi, which, according to Xavi, was due to Echevarria's influence.

Regardless of the veracity of Xavi's statements, or simply how "the truth" depends on whom he supports and when, they remain sensitive and illustrate that the political and power landscape at Barcelona has never been anything but murky.

Hoang Thong