New Claims Deepen Controversy Over Lionel Messis Failed Barcelona Return in 2023

Lionel Messi wanted to return to FC Barcelona in 2023 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, but the move collapsed. Xavi Hernández and former director Mateu Alemany claim president Joan Laporta blocked the deal despite La Liga approval. Laporta denies this, insisting Messi’s camp never confirmed the transfer before he joined Inter Miami CF.

For the long-running debate around Lionel Messi and his failed return to FC Barcelona in 2023, new claims have added another twist. Former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández recently stated that Messi’s move back to the club from Paris Saint-Germain was close to completion. According to him, the deal collapsed because club president Joan Laporta blocked the move.

Xavi said Laporta feared that Messi’s return would challenge his authority inside the club. Xavi’s version has now been supported by former Barcelona sporting director Mateu Alemany, who revealed that the club believed it already had approval from La Liga to complete the signing. However, Laporta strongly rejected these claims. He argued that Messi and his father, Jorge Messi, never confirmed their final agreement to return and instead later informed the club about the decision to join Inter Miami CF. Laporta also suggested that Xavi’s comments were influenced by political rivalry linked to presidential candidate Víctor Font.

Meanwhile, La Liga president Javier Tebas supported Laporta, saying the league had not been formally contacted about the deal. Messi himself has admitted that he wanted to return to Barcelona but did not want to wait for the club to resolve financial issues such as selling players or reducing wages. Eventually, he chose Inter Miami to secure his future and avoid repeating the uncertainty of his 2021 exit.