The Barcelona presidential race has reached a fever pitch this week, with former player and manager Xavi Hernandez central to the escalating tensions. Xavi recently made waves by asserting that current president Joan Laporta, who is favored for re-election this weekend, vetoed Lionel Messi’s potential return to the club in the summer of 2023.
Xavi further alleged that Laporta mishandled his dismissal 12 months later, a decision made only weeks after he had been persuaded to withdraw his resignation at the end of the 2023-24 season. Laporta swiftly countered these claims, accusing the Barcelona icon of harboring a grudge against him.
As part of his robust defense, Laporta denied any sabotage of Messi’s return, maintaining that La Liga had not granted the necessary approval for such a deal. In a public response, Xavi appeared to address these developments on social media, as reported by Marca, stating: “With the truth in front of me, always! With Barça in our hearts, always! Long live Barça!”
Xavi’s Remarks Could Influence Barcelona Election Outcome
These impactful statements from Xavi, a figure still highly revered among Barcelona members despite a challenging end to his managerial tenure, carry significant weight. Coming less than a week before Sunday’s critical vote, his claims—particularly regarding Laporta’s alleged blocking of Messi’s re-signing—are likely to be fresh in the minds of those heading to the polls. This could have a substantial bearing on who emerges as the Catalan club’s next president.
While Laporta continues to appear as the favorite to secure a fourth mandate, Xavi’s comments, alongside his implicit backing of candidate Victor Font, could potentially sway the vote and make for a much closer contest this weekend.
