Xavi Reveals Details of Messi’s Failed Barcelona Return Plan

In March 2026, former Barcelona manager Xavi said in a public interview that after Messi won the World Cup in 2023, Messi had taken the initiative to propose a return to Barcelona. He said the move did not fail because of salary limits or La Liga financial rules, but was stopped after sporting and financial conditions had been arranged.

The report said this challenged some explanations previously given publicly by Barcelona and turned what could have been a legendary 'last dance' into an unrealized opportunity.

The story goes back to January 2023, when Messi had just lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar and completed his collection of major team honors.

At the time, his contract with Paris Saint-Germain was nearing its end. During his two seasons in Paris, he had not fully adapted to the team environment and faced criticism from some fans, making a return to Barcelona increasingly attractive.

That month, Messi contacted Xavi and told him he wanted to return to Camp Nou after two years away, dedicating the final European chapter of his career to the club where he had grown up as a player.

From January to March 2023, Xavi and Messi maintained frequent communication and discussed return details almost every week.

Xavi informed club president Joan Laporta of Messi’s intention and also held initial discussions with Messi’s father and agent Jorge Messi.

Barcelona’s sporting management worked on registration procedures, and sporting director Mateu Alemany confirmed that La Liga had approved the return plan, with salary-limit issues considered resolved at that stage.

The club’s legal department prepared a formal two-year contract, waiting only for Messi to sign as a free agent.

Xavi had already designed a complete return plan for Messi.

Because Camp Nou was under renovation in 2023, Barcelona played the season at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic. Xavi planned for it to become the starting point of Messi’s 'last dance' before a return to the renovated Camp Nou as a legendary player.

The report said the plan was viable from a sporting perspective. Barcelona under Xavi was undergoing a transition between generations, and Messi’s experience and influence could have been an important addition.

All preparations moved forward according to plan until April 2023, when the situation suddenly changed.

Jorge Messi contacted Xavi and said he had received notice that La Liga no longer accepted the previous registration plan, meaning Messi’s return could not continue.

Xavi then checked with club officials and said Laporta’s explanation was that he was concerned Messi’s influence could affect the internal balance of the club.

The article stated that the decision was unrelated to sporting or financial factors.

The report described previous explanations involving salary restrictions and Messi’s demands as part of the public explanations given at the time.

The article said Messi had never made excessive salary demands and was willing to adjust his terms to fit Barcelona’s financial arrangements.

When Messi left Barcelona in 2021, the article said he had agreed to a 50% pay cut to stay, but eventually departed after being informed by Laporta. There was no farewell match or formal trophy ceremony, and his emotional press conference remains memorable for many fans.

After the return attempt failed, Messi temporarily reduced direct contact with Xavi, and their misunderstanding was only gradually resolved after a long period.

Xavi tried to explain the situation to Jorge Messi, but the response was: 'You go and talk to the president.'

Five months of communication and preparation, along with fans’ hopes for a legendary return, ultimately did not lead to a deal.

Messi then finalized a move to Inter Miami, ending the possibility of returning to Europe’s top leagues and Barcelona.

Xavi chose to reveal these details shortly before Barcelona’s 2026 presidential election, which was seen as reflecting his position.

He publicly supported Laporta’s rival candidate Victor Font and said his disagreement with Laporta could not be reconciled, adding that he would not return to Barcelona in the future as a player or coach.

Sources close to Messi later said Messi was aware of Xavi’s interview and agreed with all the facts presented, with more details possibly being revealed later.

Messi’s career at Inter Miami has progressed well, and he has publicly stated multiple times that he will not return to Barcelona as a player.

Laporta later mentioned Messi on several occasions and said the club would honor him with a statue at Camp Nou and a tribute match, but the report said these actions did not erase the impact of the failed return.

The unrealized return ultimately became a football regret that cannot be repeated.