Xavi Hernandez Makes Stunning Claim About Lionel Messi’s Failed Barcelona Comeback
March 9, 2026
215d agoFormer Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has revealed new details about why club legend Lionel Messi never made a dramatic return to FC Barcelona after leaving the club in 2021.
According to Xavi, plans were already in motion for Messi to rejoin the Catalan giants in 2023 shortly after Argentina’s World Cup triumph.
The former coach explained that discussions had taken place with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and that Messi was enthusiastic about the idea of returning to the club where he became a global superstar.
Xavi claimed the move had progressed significantly behind the scenes. Negotiations reportedly involved Messi’s father and agent, Jorge Messi, while the club had also explored the financial side of the deal with the league.
From a sporting perspective, Xavi believed the reunion would have been perfect and even envisioned a memorable final chapter for Messi at Camp Nou.
However, the transfer never materialized.
Xavi alleges that Barcelona president Joan Laporta ultimately decided against completing the deal. According to the former midfielder, Laporta feared that bringing Messi back could create internal tension or a potential power struggle within the club’s leadership.
Laporta, on the other hand, has disputed this version of events. The Barcelona president insists the club did explore the possibility of Messi’s return but claims the player and his representatives eventually chose a different path due to concerns about the pressure that would come with returning to the club.
With the proposed move collapsing, Messi instead began a new chapter in the United States with Inter Miami CF in 2023.
The decision effectively ended hopes of a second spell at Barcelona, leaving fans to imagine what could have been if the club’s greatest-ever player had made one final appearance in the famous Blaugrana colors.
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