According to Xavi, Messi was very close to returning to Barcelona after the 2022 World Cup, and La Liga had also given permission. However, club president Joan Laporta stopped the transfer. As Xavi emphasized, if Messi returned, major problems regarding salaries could arise, and the club was not prepared for that.
"Various rumors about Messi not returning are not true. It is not related to La Liga's demands or his father asking for more money. In fact, it's all because Laporta said the club was not ready," said Xavi.
That transfer window, Messi did not return to Barcelona and instead moved to Inter Miami.
