Xavi Accuses Joan Laporta of Deception Regarding Scuttled Lionel Messi Return to FC Barcelona in 2023

Xavi reveals Lionel Messi was set to rejoin Barcelona in 2023 with La Liga approval, but claims President Joan Laporta personally blocked the deal.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 6:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

The Explosive Revelation of a Secret Agreement

The long-standing mystery surrounding Lionel Messi’s potential return to FC Barcelona has taken a dramatic turn following candid remarks from former manager Xavi. Speaking to La Vanguardia, the legendary midfielder revealed that the Argentine superstar was technically "signed" to return to the Camp Nou in January 2023. This timeline places the agreement immediately after Messi’s historic World Cup victory in Qatar, a period during which fans were led to believe that financial hurdles made a reunion impossible. Xavi’s testimony suggests that the sporting staff and the player were fully aligned, yet the deal was dismantled by the club’s highest office.

Accusations of Presidential Interference and Deception

Xavi has pointed the finger directly at President Joan Laporta, accusing him of a "lie" regarding the collapsed negotiations. While Laporta has frequently cited La Liga’s strict financial fair play rules as the reason for Messi's departure and lack of return, Xavi asserts that the league had actually provided the "green light" for the contract. The former coach claims that Laporta personally backed out of the arrangement, allegedly fearing that Messi’s presence would spark a disruptive wage war within the locker room. This version of events paints a picture of a calculated institutional decision rather than a forced economic reality.

The Breakdown of Communication With the Messi Camp

The collapse of the deal reportedly led to a total breakdown in communication between the club and the player. According to Xavi, after Laporta grew cold on the prospect of the signing, Messi stopped answering the phone because he had been informed through other channels that the move was no longer viable. This contradicts Laporta’s public stance of being "willing to fix anything" with the Messi family. The revelation suggests that the superstar's eventual move to Inter Miami was not merely a choice of lifestyle, but a result of being sidelined by the leadership of his former club.