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Join on Telegram Rabat – Lionel Messi’s failed return to Barcelona remains one of the most painful stories for the club’s fans.
Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez says the move was close to being completed after Messi won the World Cup in 2023.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Vanguardia, Xavi said that Messi was excited about coming back, and talks went on for months. La Liga had approved the deal, and Xavi believed it was ready to happen.
Xavi Hernández breaks the silence on Messi’s return to Barcelona, and the role Joan Laporta played in blocking the move in 2023 🔵🔴🎙️
(Via La Vanguardia) pic.twitter.com/8HiQXQgV6J
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) March 9, 2026
But Xavi said that President Joan Laporta stopped the process. He says Laporta told him that if Messi returned, it would create conflict, and he could not allow it.
After that, Messi stopped answering Xavi’s calls, and his father Jorge told Xavi to speak directly with the president. For Xavi, it was a bitter end to what he thought was a done deal.
Zubimendi deal rejected by the board
The Messi episode was not the only frustration. Xavi also revealed that Barcelona blocked his attempt to sign Martin Zubimendi, now a key player at Arsenal.
At the time, Zubimendi was shining at Real Sociedad and had already won major honors with Spain, including the European Championship in 2024 and the Nations League in 2023. He was seen as the natural successor to Sergio Busquets.
Xavi said he asked the board to bring Zumimendi in, but the answer was no. The club told him it was impossible for financial reasons, later arsenal singed the midfielder for $60 million, confirming his rising value.
Strained relationship with Laporta
Xavi’s relationship with Laporta became strained. He admits he felt betrayed, saying his expectations of the club dropped over time.
He had returned to Barcelona with the hope of rebuilding, but decisions from the board left him frustrated. He insists the version of events told publicly by the club is false and that he needed to explain his side.
He also shared how his exit was handled. Xavi said his successor, Hansi Flick, came to his home to apologize for the way the transition was managed.
Flick admitted the club had already decided to replace Xavi while he was still in charge, but no one told him directly.
Xavi appreciated Flick’s honesty, contrasting it with the way the board treated him.
