Joan Laporta has responded firmly to the accusations made by former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández regarding the club’s refusal to bring Lionel Messi back in 2023.
Speaking during the first election debate, the current president said he was both surprised and hurt by Xavi’s comments. Laporta defended the decision, insisting that difficult choices had to be made for the good of the club and suggesting that with the same squad, Xavi would not have achieved the same results as Hansi Flick.
“The fact is, when I read these statements from Xavi, I think of Flick. Very difficult decisions were made for the club. I did what I had to do. With virtually the same players, Xavi would have lost and Flick would have won”, the FC Barcelona president stated.
Laporta also criticized what he described as a political tone in Xavi’s remarks. According to him, the former midfielder may have been influenced by presidential candidate Víctor Font.
The Barça president added that the style of public criticism used by Xavi is not something he believes the club’s supporters appreciate, especially with the presidential election approaching.