"It began on January 6th, 2023, during Epiphany - the Spanish holiday marked by family celebrations and gift-giving. Xavi Hernández, Barcelona's manager at the time, received an unexpected call. On the other end was Messi, ready to announce a firm decision: he wanted to come home. He told Xavi he felt prepared to return and believed his final European chapter should be played at the club that gave him his footballing education."
"Recognizing the potential impact, Xavi immediately began exploring how Messi could fit back into the squad. Over the following months, the pair reportedly spoke regularly, every 10 to 15 days. Messi agreed to a modified role on the pitch, aware that his game had evolved since his twenties. For Xavi, the opportunity couldn't be more appealing: an older, experienced Messi could still transform the team, which would later go on to win La Liga that season."
Messi contacted Xavi Hernández on January 6, 2023, and announced his desire to return to Barcelona to finish his European career at the club where he trained. Xavi explored how Messi could rejoin the squad and the two spoke every 10 to 15 days. Messi accepted a modified on-pitch role to reflect his changed game. Club leaders, including president Joan Laporta and director of football Mateu Alemany, engaged in the effort, with a two-year contract drafted and initial optimism about La Liga approval. The move collapsed when approval was denied amid financial and regulatory concerns, and Messi withdrew due to the uncertainty.
Read at Barca Blaugranes
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