Barcelona president Joan Laporta has responded after former manager Xavi publicly criticised the club’s leadership and the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The former midfielder made the comments in an interview with La Vanguardia, where he questioned how decisions are made at the club and suggested the power structure inside Barcelona extends beyond the president.
Xavi also revisited the collapse of Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona in 2023, claiming the late decision to block the move came through Laporta.
Joan Laporta says he had to take difficult decisions, but doesn’t seem to regret
Laporta addressed the controversy during a debate between candidates for the Barcelona presidency organised by Mundo Deportivo, RAC1 and La Vanguardia.
The 62-year-old admitted he was surprised by the comments from the former Barcelona coach, but doubled down on the tough decisions he took as president, according to quotes from Barça Universal.
“I was surprised and hurt. When I see these statements from Xavi, I think of Flick. It’s hard to be president of Barça and you have to make difficult decisions. I did what I had to do.
“With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose, and with Flick, I see that we are going to win. I understand that he is hurt. With the same players, Xavi was losing, and Flick is winning.”
Since arriving at the Camp Nou, Hansi Flick has won four trophies: La Liga, Copa del Rey and two editions of the Spanish Super Cup.
Xavi accused Barcelona leadership of influencing key decisions
In the interview, Xavi suggested the decision to dismiss him as Barcelona coach had been influenced by Alejandro Echevarria.
He stated: “In fact, I signed for Barça thanks to him (Laporta), but he ended up letting me down. Why? He dismissed me as coach without telling me the truth, influenced by someone I believe is above the president, Alejandro Echevarria.
“In other words, it was Alejandro who dismissed me as coach. That’s how this Barça works, it’s practically run by Alejandro Echevarria.”
The Spanish legend also claimed Laporta ruled out Messi’s return to Barcelona in 2023 at the last moment, when it was almost a done deal.
“The president wasn’t telling the truth about that either. Leo was signed. In January 2023, after becoming world champion, we got in touch and he told me he was excited to come back, and I could see that,” Xavi said (via Barça Universal).
“The president began negotiating the contract with Leo’s father, and we had the green light from La Liga, but it was the president who threw it all away.”
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