Barca prez hopeful wants Messi to 'explain truth' about return

"I don't think Messi will say anything between now and Sunday, but I hope he does. I hope he tells the truth so that the socis don't go to the polls misled by Laporta and blinded by the smoke screen of hope generated by Hansi Flick and the young players."

"In an interview on Monday, Xavi claimed an agreement with Messi was in place three years ago when he was set to leave Paris Saint-Germain, adding that LaLiga had even agreed to the financial side of the deal, which corresponds with comments made by Laporta at the time. However, Xavi added, Laporta, fearing a 'war' with the player whose sudden departure he had overseen in 2021, pulled the plug on the operation."

"Laporta said that Xavi's version is not true, claiming that it was the player's father, Jorge Messi who walked away from the deal, explaining that his son preferred a move to Inter Miami away from the spotlight he would be under in Barcelona."

Barcelona's presidential election on Sunday features a dispute over Lionel Messi's failed 2023 return. Candidate Víctor Font encourages Messi to clarify what happened, hoping he will explain the circumstances before voters decide. Former coach Xavi claims Laporta blocked Messi's return due to fears of a power struggle, stating an agreement existed with LaLiga's approval. Laporta counters that Jorge Messi, the player's father, withdrew from negotiations because his son preferred moving to Inter Miami away from Barcelona's spotlight. Font suggests voters are being misled by Laporta's narrative and distracted by optimism surrounding coach Hansi Flick and young players.

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