New controversy has emerged surrounding the failed return of Lionel Messi to Barcelona in 2023, following conflicting claims from figures involved at the time.
Former Barça coach Xavi recently stated that La Liga had approved Messi’s return and blamed club president Joan Laporta for blocking the transfer.
“Leo was set to join… we had the green light from La Liga, but it was the president who ruined everything,” Xavi said, adding that Messi did not return because “the president doesn’t want him.”
La Liga president Javier Tebas quickly rejected that version, insisting: “It’s not true. La Liga did not authorize anything.”
However, former Barcelona director Mateu Alemany has now backed Xavi’s account.
“Xavi is right. We were told it had been authorized. Xavi is right,” Alemany said, reigniting the debate about why the Argentine’s return never materialized.
