Xavi says Barcelona figure blocked Lionel Messi return to the club

Xavi has been out of management since leaving Barcelona and is still searching for his next coaching job. The former midfield star, now a coach, discussed his career and the current state of soccer in an interview with Romario. Throughout the conversation, Xavi notably never mentions Joan Laporta by name, referring only to the current Barcelona president.

“I feel like a super privileged person”

Barcelona and Spain icon Xavi reflected on his career with pride and perspective.

“I feel like a super privileged person,” Xavi said. “My life is soccer and having people recognize my work. Wherever I go, I am recognized, and that is an honor. From age 24, after I injured my knee, I understood I had to give more, do more, that I had the tools to make history in soccer.”

World Cup glory over everything

Xavi made clear where his greatest achievement lies.

“Winning the World Cup was my best moment,” he said. “I also value the Champions League titles with Barcelona, four when the club only had two, but the World Cup is different.”

Ballon d’Or and Messi comparisons

Xavi also reflected on the 2010 Ballon d’Or and Lionel Messi’s dominance.

“Messi is much better than me, there is no debate. The comparison is absurd,” Xavi said. “When he won the 2010 Ballon d’Or, I felt justice was done. I don’t feel like I was robbed of one.”

Midfielders Xavi admires today

Xavi named several players he sees as carrying the modern midfield tradition.

“Pedri, Vitinha, Mac Allister, De Jong, who is not always valued enough,” he said. “They understand collective soccer. They do not pass just to pass. They understand the game and already think about the next play. They are similar to me.”

Messi: “There will be no one better”

Xavi reserved his strongest praise for his former teammate.

“Messi was the best. There will be no one better than him,” he said. “He would get mad at me if I passed somewhere else. He made me better. He is very humble and hardworking. I saw it when he was 16, he was completely different.”

“I have a very good relationship with him. I tried to sign him for Barcelona. I spoke for five months, everything was ready, but the current club president said no.”

Lamine Yamal compared to Messi

On Barcelona’s young star, Xavi did not hold back.

“Yamal can be compared to Messi,” he said. “He is a chosen one. Everything depends on him, his mentality and desire to make history. He can be the best in the world. He is already among them.”

Barcelona coaching tenure and exit

Xavi also reflected on his time leading Barcelona.

“I am very proud. The club was in the worst moment in its history,” he said. “We made the team competitive and won two trophies. We left a legacy of young players who are now the backbone of the team.”

“Coaching was much harder than playing. I felt I was going to continue, that was agreed with the president, but there was a personal issue with someone at the club that prevented it. We set strong foundations that Hansi Flick is now taking advantage of.”

“I demanded a lot from the current president when I arrived. After winning LaLiga, my demands dropped and that cannot happen again.”

Transfers and return attempts

Xavi also revealed several failed attempts to bring players back to Barcelona.

“I tried to bring back Dani Alves, Neymar, Pedro and Messi,” he said. “Pedro and Neymar were not possible because of financial issues. Messi was because the current president did not want it. With Neymar there was a chance, but it did not happen due to our financial situation and Financial Fair Play limits.”

Raphinha and leadership

On current winger Raphinha, Xavi credited his growth.

“I signed Raphinha. I pushed the club to sign him,” he said. “I gave him confidence. I spoke with him when he was frustrated. I told him to stay calm, that he had five years. Now he has exploded. He is a leader.”

Brazil, Spain and World Cup contenders

Looking ahead to international football, Xavi backed several nations.

“Brazil can be champions, first because Ancelotti is there, a coach who improves players,” he said. “Then because Brazil always imposes itself in a World Cup. Spain, Argentina, France and Portugal are also favorites. Germany feels less like Germany now. England could also make a jump.”

Spain’s chances and coaching ambitions

“Spain can win the World Cup,” Xavi said. “It would be fantastic to have two stars on the shirt. We are a very soccer-driven country. Luis de la Fuente is a great coach.”

On his own future, he remains open.

“Why not coach in Brazil? I am open to any project, clubs or national teams,” he said. “Brazil is the cradle of soccer. I am open to a beautiful project where you can win.”

Guardiola influence

Finally, Xavi credited Pep Guardiola as a defining influence.

“He became my reference as a player and then as a coach,” Xavi said. “He is a huge reference for me.”

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