Xavi Lets Rip: Laporta Torpedoed Messi's Return and Pulled My Strings, Says Barça Legend
Xavi Hernandez has sensationally accused Joan Laporta of sabotaging Lionel Messi's 2023 Barcelona return and revealed Alejandro Echevarria as the club's real powerbroker behind his own sacking. Supporting rival presidential candidate Victor Font, Xavi's La Vanguardia interview could derail Laporta's re-election bid days before the vote. The bombshells cover failed Messi negotiations, boardroom flip-flops, and lingering personal betrayals.
Xavi Lets Rip: Laporta Torpedoed Messi's Return and Pulled My Strings, Says Barça Legend
Imagine sinking a pint with your mates, and suddenly Xavi Hernandez drops a grenade into the Barcelona presidential race. With the vote less than a week away, the club icon has gone full scorched earth on Joan Laporta, his old boss and the red-hot favourite for re-election. Backing rival Victor Font, Xavi's chat with La Vanguardia (as covered by Football Espana on OneFootball) has everyone in the Camp Nou camp buzzing.
He's not mincing words, lads. Xavi reckons Laporta isn't the real kingpin – that's Alejandro Echevarria, the shadowy advisor pulling strings from the shadows. "This is how Barça ticks now," Xavi fumed, "practically run by Echevarria." Ouch. It's like finding out your gaffer's decisions are rubber-stamped by the tea boy.
The Messi Fiasco: A Deal That Went Tits Up
Right, let's rewind to summer 2023. Lionel Messi's PSG deal was up, and whispers of a fairy-tale Barça homecoming were everywhere. Xavi spills that he and Leo were thick as thieves on it – chats from January post-World Cup glory, right through to March.
"Leo was buzzing to return," Xavi dished. Laporta even kicked off contract talks with Messi's dad, Jorge, and got the thumbs-up from La Liga. Financial fair play? Sorted with a temporary Montjuïc stint. It was primed for that Jordan-style last dance. But then... poof.
Laporta bottled it, allegedly warning Xavi that Messi would "wage war" on him. Leo ghosted Xavi's calls, thinking he'd been double-crossed. "It wrecked our vibe for ages," Xavi admitted, though they're mates again now. Blame game? Straight at the president. As Barca Universal on OneFootball noted, this one's a proper gut-punch to Laporta's campaign.
Xavi's still gutted: "Leo would've banged in goals, threaded those killers passes. He'd boss the World Cup build-up at Camp Nou." Dream on, eh?
Sacking Saga: From 'Stay' to 'You're Out' in a Flash
Xavi didn't stop at Messi. He dissected his own 2024 exit, paving the way for Hansi Flick. Back in January, he'd flagged he'd bow out post-season for the club's sake. Barça won big, but Champions League humblings by PSG and a La Liga loss to Real Madrid flipped the script.
The board begged him to stay – face-to-faces with Echevarria, promises of next-season plans. Then, post-PSG axe, Echevarria rings mid-school run: board meeting, no faith. Xavi's response? Cool as you like: "No dramas, I was off anyway."
But the sting? Laporta, his "friend," ghosted the truth. "Biggest letdown," Xavi called it. Echevarria, the puppet master, dispensed with him. It's Goal.com and SI Soccer territory – pure boardroom betrayal.
Election Earthquake: Font's Gain, Laporta's Pain?
Xavi's out in the open for Font, and this interview – via La Vanguardia and MD – could be the spanner. Laporta's been coasting, but now? Voters might fancy a fresh broom. Will it swing the tide? Too early, but the Blaugrana forums are on fire.
As Football Espana reports, it's the 24-hour story shaking Catalunya. Xavi's not just a legend; he's the whistleblower. Grab your scarf, lads – this prez poll's got more twists than a telenovela. Who's your pick?
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