What could be more difficult than voting out Joan Laporta as Barcelona president after his administration led the club through a period of transition? However, after recent events, it will be interesting to see what and who triumphs at the polls later this month.

As the Barcelona presidential election draws near, more information continues to emerge in the media. The most notable of these is the controversial interview with former midfielder and coach, Xavi Hernandez.

The Spaniard appeared in a recent interview to criticize former club President Joan Laporta, who is in contention for a return to the seat he recently vacated in the upcoming election against Victor Font.  

His comments have divided opinions among the club's stakeholders during this crucial period. While this appeared to be the intention, should every aspect of the recent narrative really influence the voters' decisions?  

What Xavi Hernandez Said

Just days before the high-stakes presidential election, Xavi Hernandez broke his silence to launch a scathing attack on Joan Laporta’s leadership. The legendary midfielder, who was dismissed in 2024, claimed that Laporta’s public narrative regarding the club's failures is built on a foundation of lies, specifically regarding the scuppered return of Lionel Messi.  

Xavi detailed how advanced the negotiations for Messi’s homecoming were in early 2023 following the Argentine's World Cup victory, only for Laporta to pull the plug.

According to the former Al Sadd coach, the sporting and financial hurdles had been cleared, but the move was personally vetoed by Laporta to protect his own authority within the club.  

"The president is lying about the Messi issue. After winning the World Cup in January 2023, I contacted Messi directly, and he showed great interest in returning.

We continued discussions until March. We had the green light from La Liga, but it was the president who threw it away. Laporta told me, word for word, that if Leo came back, he was going to wage war against him and that he couldn’t allow that."  

Xavi also added that Barcelona is being controlled by Alejandro Echevarría, whom he believes has authority over President Joan Laporta:  

"I signed for Barça thanks to him, but he ended up letting me down. Why? He dismissed me as a coach without telling me the truth, influenced by someone I believe is above the president, Alejandro Echevarría. In other words, it was Alejandro who dismissed me as coach. He is the one who really pulls all the strings behind the scenes."

"I’ve already done what I needed to do as a player and manager at Barcelona. Now I want to tell the truth. Leo Messi is never returning to Barcelona simply because Laporta doesn’t want that. It is not because of La Liga or Jorge Messi asking for money; that’s all a lie. I wanted to do a 'last dance' like Michael Jordan’s, but the president prioritized a power struggle over the club's greatest legend."

Many of the claims made by Xavi have been refuted by Joan Laporta and La Liga president Javier Tebas. Furthermore, supporters argue that even if these claims were true, the decisions made by the president have proven to be in the club's best interest.  

Why Should Barcelona Care?

Joan Laporta may not be perfect, but few could have performed better during one of the most difficult stints in the club's history. His administration successfully navigated the departure of Lionel Messi, a player who carried the club for nearly two decades and whose influence was previously irreplaceable.

Beyond the post-Messi era, Laporta managed a significant managerial crisis. From Ronald Koeman to Xavi Hernandez, the ship was steadied, but the situation only truly stabilized with the appointment of Hansi Flick. Much of this progress is attributed to Laporta's strategic brilliance, including the financial "levers" used to overcome turmoil.  

While Xavi's departure may have left behind resentment, the focus remains on what is beneficial for the club's future. Victor Font’s campaign has centered on Laporta’s perceived misdeeds and reconnecting with the past.

However, proponents of the current direction argue that Laporta has made the club self-reliant, suggesting they no longer need to hold on to the past. Lionel Messi remains Barcelona's greatest legend, but the narrative suggests the club has learned to thrive without him, making a return as a player at this stage unrealistic.