Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has taken steps to defend advisor Alejandro Echevarria and provided his account of the events surrounding Lionel Messi’s unsuccessful return in 2023.
In an interview on Sunday night, former manager Xavi Hernandez stated that Laporta had hindered Messi’s comeback, despite the Catalan team being in talks to bring him back.
Laporta dismissed Xavi’s remarks as resentment since Hansi Flick was now experiencing greater success than him during an electoral discussion on Monday morning with fellow presidential contender Victor Font.
Laporta Speaks On Why Barcelona Failed To Bring Back Messi
Laporta stated that Messi alone made the decision to not return in an interview with Cadena Cope as quoted by Football Espana on Monday night.
“What hurts me the most is that Mr. Font has used a Barcelona legend like Xavi. I don’t quite understand why Xavi is saying that about Messi.
“It seemed like things were going to happen after his time at PSG; I gave him a draft contract, he came to my house and said they had decided they would be better off in Miami. And that was that.
“Bringing this up now only serves to muddy the waters of the elections.”
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“We were just barely within the fair play requirements. The contract was sent to Jorge (Messi), and while waiting for his response, May arrived.
“At the end of the month, he told me they had decided on Inter Miami. And that’s how it ended. I don’t fear Messi or Jorge speaking out.
“I’m convinced they would tell the same story. We’ve always understood each other; I don’t think the story would change.
“We don’t want to distract from what matters to the Barca fans. We choose the people we want to represent us for the next five years. Xavi’s involvement adds nothing.”
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