Former Barcelona FC manager Xavi Hernandez has ruled out any possibility of Lionel Messi returning to the Spanish club, saying the decision ultimately rests with club president Joan Laporta.
Speaking to La Vanguardia, Xavi stated, “Leo Messi is never coming back to Barcelona, because Laporta doesn’t want that,” confirming that the club has no plans to re-sign the superstar.
Xavi clarified that neither LaLiga nor Messi’s camp posed financial or regulatory obstacles to a potential return, dismissing speculation that external factors were preventing negotiations.
Messi originally left Barcelona in August 2021 after failing to agree on a contract extension with the club, departing as a free agent. Laporta had sanctioned his exit at the time, ending Messi’s long tenure at the Camp Nou.
Since leaving Barcelona, Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, continuing his professional career outside Spain.
