Xavi reveals Lionel Messi had Barcelona return dream but club president stopped final Camp Nou reunion

Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has shared a major detail about Lionel Messi that many fans have wanted to know for years. He revealed that Barcelona came very close to bringing Messi back to Camp Nou in 2023, but the move was stopped by the club president. According to Xavi, talks lasted for five months and everything was almost complete before the final decision changed the story.

Speaking on Romário’s YouTube channel, Xavi explained that he personally wanted Messi back and also tried to sign Neymar and Pedro. While financial problems stopped some deals, he said Messi’s return was blocked because the president did not approve it. This gives a very different picture from the public belief that Messi simply chose Inter Miami CF over Barcelona.

Xavi Hernández explains why Lionel Messi missed Barcelona return and praises Lamine Yamal’s future

Xavi said, “As Barcelona manager, I brought back Dani Alves and tried to bring Neymar, Pedro and Messi back as well. Pedro and Neymar could not be signed because of the economic situation. As for Messi, the president did not want him back. We tried to sign Messi in 2023. We talked for five months, and everything was ready, but in the end, the president said no.”

That statement surprised many fans because Messi’s return to Barcelona had been one of the biggest football stories at that time. Instead, the Argentine legend joined Inter Miami and started a new chapter in Major League Soccer.

Xavi also shared personal memories of playing with Messi. He said Messi always wanted the ball and demanded quick passing during matches and training sessions.

He recalled, “Sometimes Messi would get annoyed with me if I passed the ball to other players. He would come to me and say, ‘What are you doing? Pass the ball to me. Get closer, play with me.’”

Xavi also remembered first watching Messi as a teenager at La Masia. He said, “I first saw Messi when he was 16 years old. I saw him and said, ‘This is something different. I have never seen this before.’”

He praised Neymar too, saying the Brazilian came closest to reaching Messi’s level during his early Barcelona years.

Finally, Xavi spoke highly of young star Lamine Yamal, calling him a special talent for the future. He said, “Lamine Yamal is a chosen player. A genius of football. He is already one of the best players in the world right now.”

He also supported current Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, saying the club now has a strong future because of its young core of players.




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