The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi's failed return to "Barcelona" in 2023 has flared up again. Former sporting director Mateu Alemany confirmed Xavi Hernandez's words, stating that the club had received permission from the league to bring back the Argentine star. This completely contradicts the official statements made by president Joan Laporta and La Liga chief Javier Tebas ahead of the elections. Reports goal.com.
Alemany, who currently works at "Atletico", was at "Barcelona" from 2021 to 2023. In a pre-match interview for the Champions League, he emphasized that Xavi's version of events is entirely true. "Xavi is right, they told us we had permission from La Liga," Alemany said.
Earlier, Xavi accused Laporta of ruining a nearly completed transfer. According to him, the management said the "green light" was given, but then everything was unexpectedly canceled. Laporta denied these accusations, claiming that the former coach is falling victim to political games ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.
Laporta insists that the transfer fell through not because of a management ban, but due to a loss of contact with the player's representatives. He stated that he sent a contract to Jorge Messi in May 2023, but Jorge said his son did not want to be under pressure and preferred to move to "Inter Miami". La Liga chief Tebas also supported this view, adding that the league never gave financial clearance and there was no official request.
Ahead of the elections on March 15, presidential candidate Victor Font is using this situation to demand full transparency from the club. Backed by Xavi, Font said the current management is hiding its mistakes behind the successes brought by Hansi Flick and young talents. He hopes that Messi himself will also tell the truth about this matter.
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