🚨🗣️ 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Xavi: "My interest now is to tell the truth. Messi didn’t return because Laporta di...
Watch the Original
Engagement Metrics
About the Creator
The Touchline | 𝐓 is a football-focused Twitter account that delivers breaking news, transfer rumors, and insider insights on clubs like FC Barcelona with a dramatic, alert-style presentation using emojis and bold formatting. Their content often amplifies controversial statements from players and coaches to engage fans. Credibility is moderate, as they aggregate viral quotes but rely on secondary sourcing without original reporting.
What's This About?
This post highlights former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez's explosive interview with La Vanguardia, where he claims Lionel Messi's potential 2023 return to FC Barcelona after the 2022 World Cup was a 'done deal' until club president Joan Laporta blocked it to avoid a 'wage war' and power struggles. Xavi refutes official narratives blaming La Liga salary limits or Messi's father Jorge's demands, insisting Laporta and his team simply did not want Messi back despite La Liga's approval and positive negotiations.[1][2][3][4] The revelation adds fuel to ongoing tensions between Xavi and Laporta, amid Barcelona's internal chaos and Messi's career at Inter Miami.
🔥Why It's Trending
The post is trending due to its shocking accusation against Barcelona president Joan Laporta just days before the club's presidential elections on March 15, 2026, potentially swaying voter sentiment as campaigns reference Messi's return.[2] It reignites fan passion for Messi's emotional Barcelona legacy, amplified by Xavi's direct contradiction of Laporta's version amid the club's financial and managerial turmoil.[1][4] Timing coincides with heightened media coverage of the La Vanguardia interview on March 8, 2026.[1]
💡Fun Facts
- 1Xavi described Messi's return as a planned 'last dance like Jordan,' referencing Michael Jordan's iconic Chicago Bulls finale.[2]
- 2Negotiations with Messi lasted five months from January to March 2023, with La Liga giving explicit approval before Laporta halted them.[1][3]
- 3Messi left Barcelona in 2021 in tears after Laporta withdrew a contract offer on signing day due to financial rules.[4]
- 4Xavi expressed he was 'dying' to coach Messi again but felt Laporta turned them against each other.[3]
- 5Barcelona fans have long desired Messi's return, especially post-2022 World Cup triumph with Argentina.[2]
📚Read More
https://athlonsports.com/soccer/laliga/lionel-messis-fc-barcelona-return-was-done-until-xavi-hernandez-reveals-what-joan-laporta-did
‘Lionel Messi back to Barcelona was a done deal’: Xavi reveals Joan Laporta blocked Argentine star’s return after 2022 World Cup
Former Barcelona player and coach Xavi Hernandez spoke openly about the truth behind a possible return of Lionel Messi to Barca after the 2022 FIFA World Cup during the presidency of Joan Laporta.
Xavi Explains Why Lionel Messi Will Never Return to Barcelona, Talks Failed Contract After World Cup
Former Barcelona manager Xavi offered his side of the story about the club's failure to bring Lionel Messi back into the fold in 2023, laying the blame entirely at the feet of Barca president Joan Laporta.
https://www.football-espana.net/2026/03/08/xavi-laporta-messi-return
https://www.lavanguardia.com/deportes/20260308/messi-regreso-barcelona-xavi-laporta
← Swipe to see more →
More Trending on Twitter
Do you have to be able to pass a basic American History test to be in Congress? Apparently not. S...
Do you have to be able to pass a basic American History test to be in Congress? Apparently not. She thinks World War II is World War Eleven. A proud product of The Learing Center. https://t.co/X9yCM4zfef
by John Rich🇺🇸
Say his name and he appears! @joehendry will be LIVE in concert TONIGHT on #WWERaw! 📍: Laredo...
Say his name and he appears! @joehendry will be LIVE in concert TONIGHT on #WWERaw! 📍: Laredo, TX 🎟️: https://t.co/yz7PNZVcix 📺: 8 ET/5 PT on @netflix https://t.co/CJEJe6Z1xJ
by WWE
Sure what Jimmy Kimmel said was over the line, but I just think he should be fired because his sh...
Sure what Jimmy Kimmel said was over the line, but I just think he should be fired because his show sucks and he’s a shit comedian.
by Brandon Herrera