Messi speaks out on Barcelona president blocking his return to Camp Nou

Lionel Messi's side has responded following statements by Barcelona legend Xavi regarding President Joan Laporta allegedly being dishonest about the possibility of the Argentine superstar returning to the club.

In the summer of 2021, Barcelona fans were utterly shocked when Lionel Messi had to leave the club due to its financial difficulties. Subsequently, the Argentine legend joined PSG before moving to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, just months after winning the 2022 World Cup with the Argentina national team.

Notably, before deciding to join MLS, Messi reportedly strongly desired to return to Camp Nou. However, the reunion plan could not materialize, mainly due to the financial constraints Barcelona still faced. In the official announcement at that time, the club stated Messi wanted to move to a league with less pressure than La Liga.

According to journalist Cristobal Soria of the program Carrusel Deportivo, Lionel Messi's side confirmed Xavi's recent statements regarding the Argentine superstar potentially returning to Barcelona in 2023. The club legend, also a former Barcelona coach, claimed President Joan Laporta actually did not want Messi to return at that time.

Messi's side stated: “Finally, the truth is gradually being clarified, and every detail will soon be revealed. Leo did everything the club requested to once again wear Barcelona's jersey, and that was the second time.

In 2021, both sides reached a contract extension agreement with a salary around 10 million Euros per year. Yet shortly after, this agreement collapsed, while Barcelona spent 55 million Euros to sign Ferran Torres.”

The statement further emphasized: “For the second time, as Xavi mentioned, it was Laporta who ended everything. Messi did all that was required to be able to return and wear Barcelona's jersey.”

These statements were made shortly after Xavi accused Joan Laporta of not being truthful about Messi's possibility of returning to the club. According to the former Spanish national team player, the reunion was almost finalized, but then Laporta reversed his decision, preventing the deal from happening. Notably, the comments from the 1980-born coach emerged just days before the Barcelona presidential election, where he publicly supported the opposing candidate to Laporta, Victor Font.