Xavi Hernandez participated in a revealing interview over the weekend that could potentially influence the upcoming Barcelona presidential election. The former player and manager alleged that Joan Laporta, who is poised for a fourth term, turned down the opportunity to re-sign Lionel Messi over the summer of 2023.
During his discussion with La Vanguardia, Xavi touched on various subjects, including his rapport with successor Hansi Flick. He emphasized their positive relationship and mutual respect.
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“My relationship with Hansi Flick is outstanding. We regularly exchange messages. I always congratulate him on his team’s success, and we discuss football. There was a time he visited my home during a challenging situation, which I appreciated greatly.”
Xavi elaborated on this “challenging situation,” which stemmed from Barcelona officials negotiating with Flick while Xavi was still the club’s coach.
“He came to apologize when I confronted him about whether the club was in talks with him while I was still coach. During the two or three weeks while the club decided to part ways with me, they hadn’t told me. He offered his apologies. Our conversation lasted over two hours, and it was fantastic. The club instructed him not to share anything with me, which is why he came to my home to explain. He’s genuinely a good person, very honorable, and I’m glad to see him doing well.”
Xavi sought Martin Zubimendi as Busquets’ successor
Xavi revealed that he urged the Barcelona leadership, led by Joan Laporta, to acquire Martin Zubimendi in the summer of 2023 when Sergio Busquets was confirmed to be leaving the club. However, his request was turned down, and the former Real Sociedad player ultimately moved to Arsenal a year later.
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“Busquets was set to depart, so I requested they sign Zubimendi. They declined due to financial reasons. Following that, Jordi Cruyff left amid disrespect showed towards him – he’s (Johan) Cruyff’s son. They claim to uphold Cruyffism. A month and a half later, Mateu (Alemany) was also let go.
“I should have left then too. When we had decision-making power, the team was progressing, but once the management took over those decisions, the team started to decline, and that’s no coincidence.”
Xavi, who is supporting Victor Font in the upcoming election, was quite critical of Laporta throughout the interview. He alleged that the then-president initiated a campaign against him, including sharing misleading information with players.
“There was a campaign against me in the media, and, more disappointingly, Alejandro spoke to players like Sergi Roberto, Araújo, Pedri, and Raphinha, suggesting that I intended to sell them.
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“That hurts because it isn’t true. We had a plan that was limited by FFP, and we only discussed the possibility of making a single sale. At one point, Sergi Roberto, a close friend and former captain, approached me asking, ‘Xavi, do you really not want me to stay?’ I clarified that it was quite the opposite and that I was being pressured precisely because I wanted him to renew.”