The long-running saga surrounding a potential Lionel Messi Barcelona return has resurfaced after La Liga president Javier Tebas firmly denied claims that the league ever approved the Argentine star’s comeback to the Catalan club in 2023.
Tebas’ response comes amid a heated public dispute involving Xavi Hernandez and Barcelona president Joan Laporta, with the former coach alleging that bureaucratic barriers had already been cleared for Messi’s return before the deal suddenly collapsed.
The La Liga chief has now stepped forward to dismiss those claims entirely.
Javier Tebas Rejects Lionel Messi Barcelona Return Claims
Speaking during an appearance on TVE’s Estudio Estadio, Tebas addressed the controversy directly and rejected the suggestion that La Liga ever gave the green light for a Lionel Messi Barcelona return.
“It is not true. La Liga did not authorize absolutely anything nor did it have the OK,” Tebas stated emphatically.
His comments contradict the comments presented by Xavi, who recently suggested that the league had cleared financial obstacles that would have allowed Barcelona to re-sign the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2023.
Tebas’ denial adds another twist to the ongoing debate over why Argentina skipper’s emotional return to Camp Nou never materialized.
Xavi Claims Barcelona Blocked Messi Comeback
The controversy erupted after Xavi Hernandez revealed details of discussions he allegedly had with Messi regarding a return to Barcelona following Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory.
According to Xavi, the idea of a Lionel returning to Barcelona had progressed significantly behind the scenes. He claimed that negotiations had taken place over several months and that the sporting project was nearly finalized by the spring of 2023.
However, Xavi alleged that the deal ultimately collapsed because Laporta vetoed the transfer, despite the belief that La Liga had already approved the necessary financial framework.
In his interview with La Vanguardia, the former Barcelona manager suggested the decision was personal rather than financial.
“Leo Messi is never returning to Barcelona simply because Laporta doesn’t want that,” Xavi said.
He further insisted that the narrative about La Liga restrictions or financial demands from Messi’s camp was misleading.
“It is not because of La Liga or because Jorge Messi was asking for money. That is all a lie,” Xavi added.
Joan Laporta Fires Back at Xavi
Barcelona president Joan Laporta did not remain silent following Xavi’s remarks.
During a recent Barcelona presidential election debate, Laporta strongly defended his handling of the situation and criticized his former manager’s claims.
Laporta admitted he was both “surprised and hurt” by Xavi’s comments, insisting that the decision not to pursue Messi’s return was based on practical considerations rather than personal motives.
The Barcelona president argued that the club’s financial position made the deal extremely difficult and suggested that Messi himself was wary of returning under intense pressure and expectations.
Laporta also used the opportunity to justify the decision to replace Xavi as head coach, drawing a clear contrast with current manager Hansi Flick.
“With Xavi, I saw that we were going to lose, and with Flick, I see that we are going to win,” Laporta said bluntly.
Messi Ultimately Joined Inter Miami
While the debate over the Lionel Messi Barcelona return continues, the reality is that the legendary forward chose a different path in 2023.
After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the 39-year-old moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he quickly transformed the club’s fortunes and helped elevate the league’s global profile.
The move effectively ended hopes of a epic final chapter at Camp Nou, something many Barcelona fans had hoped would happen.
Barcelona’s Messi Debate Refuses to Fade
Despite Messi now thriving in the United States, the possibility of a return to Barca remains one of football’s most discussed “what if” scenarios.
With conflicting accounts from Xavi, Laporta, and Javier Tebas, the true story behind the collapsed deal may never be fully agreed upon.
What is clear, however, is that the disagreement has reopened tensions inside Barcelona just days before the club’s upcoming presidential elections.
And once again, Messi’s name remains at the center of the storm.
