"It all started in January 2023, when Xavi Hernandez received an unexpected call from Messi. The Argentina captain told the then-Barcelona manager that he had made a final decision and wanted to return. Messi said he felt excited, ready to come back two years after leaving for PSG and convinced that his last European chapter should be played at the club of his life."
"Xavi saw this as a historic opportunity. He believed his team, which would go on to win La Liga months later, could take an enormous competitive leap with his former teammate. He also saw space for an older but still decisive Messi. Over the following months, Xavi and Messi spoke every 10 to 15 days. They exchanged ideas, adjusted roles and reached a complete agreement. The Argentine accepted a different role, aware that he was no longer the 20-year-old who could decide everything alone."
"In February 2023, Messi went further and invited Xavi to speak with Jorge Messi to accelerate the operation. The coach informed Joan Laporta, and the president reacted with excitement. He saw Messi's return as a chance to close the wound from 2021. In April came the message that seemed decisive. Before a training session, Mateu Alemany, director of football, approached Xavi and informed him that La Liga had given the OK for the operation and everything was on track."
Lionel Messi left FC Barcelona in 2021 for PSG and became available when his PSG contract expired in 2023. In January 2023 Messi called Xavi Hernandez to say he had decided to return to Barcelona, feeling excited and ready to finish his European career at the club. Xavi considered Messi's potential arrival a historic opportunity and envisioned a different, influential role. Over months they spoke every 10 to 15 days, adjusted roles and reached agreement. Messi involved Jorge Messi, the board reacted with enthusiasm, and in April Mateu Alemany said La Liga had approved the operation and everything was on track.
Read at Barca Universal
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