Former FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has revealed that Lionel Messi was close to making an emotional return to the club after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the move was ultimately blocked by club president Joan Laporta.
Speaking in an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Xavi explained that the transfer had practically been finalised and that Messi himself was eager to return to the Catalan club following Argentina’s historic World Cup victory in Qatar.
“Leo Messi back to Barcelona was a done deal after that World Cup won by Argentina. It was done,” Xavi said during the interview.
According to the former midfielder and coach, the club had even secured approval from La Liga for the deal to go through.
“We also had La Liga’s green light and Messi wanted to return… but Laporta stopped the signing,” Xavi revealed.
Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, spent more than two decades at Barcelona, where he rose through the club’s famous academy and became its all-time top scorer.
However, he was forced to leave the club in 2021 after Barcelona failed to renew his contract due to financial restrictions imposed by La Liga.
Following his departure, Messi joined Paris Saint‑Germain, bringing an end to his legendary era at the Camp Nou.
After Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 World Cup, speculation about Messi returning to Barcelona intensified, with many fans hoping the club icon would return for a final chapter at the stadium where he built his legacy.
But according to Xavi, Laporta ultimately decided against the move due to concerns about the potential impact on the club’s financial and internal stability.
“Laporta told me that if Leo came back, there would be a wage war and he couldn’t afford that,” Xavi explained.
Reports at the time suggested that Barcelona’s leadership feared Messi’s return could create tensions within the squad and complicate the club’s already fragile financial situation.
After leaving PSG in 2023, Messi eventually moved to Inter Miami CF in the United States, where he continues his career while helping to grow football’s popularity in North America.
Xavi’s latest revelation has reignited debate among Barcelona fans about what might have been if the club legend had returned to the Camp Nou after lifting the World Cup trophy with Argentina.
