Laporta's brutal response to Xavi's claims
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 10.03.26. | 11:25
The Barca president also talked about the failed Messi return in 2023
Joan Laporta, who led FC Barcelona from 2003–2010 and again from 2021–2026, and who believes he will be re-elected, began the presidental debate from a disadvantage. The reason is the major interview given by Xavi Hernandez to La Vanguardia, in which the former Barcelona coach revealed many things that do not reflect well on Laporta — that he betrayed Xavi, abandoned the idea of extending cooperation with club icon Lionel Messi, and that a man operating from the shadows, Alejandro Echevarría, actually holds major influence inside the club.
Laporta had a debate with another candidate for presidency – Victor Font, a man who has Xavi’s public support, and the current Barca supremo had a short but brutal response to Xavi’s claims.
“With the same players with whom Xavi was losing, Hansi Flick is winning” he said. Laporta also tried to play the Hansi Flick card during the debate. Laporta stated that Flick would not remain at Camp Nou if Font were elected president.
“He has already said he would be happy if Deco left Barcelona. He wants to appoint three people to do Deco’s job. You don’t have a sporting project; you’re just trying to attach yourselves to ours. You would get rid of Deco. You would destroy a project that excites people. You’re not proposing any new names for key positions, only repeating the ones already there. This is an illusion. With you, we would return to disaster,” the current president added said to Font.
As for Xavi’s accusations regarding Messi’s failed return to Barca in 2023, Laporta also had something to say. In another interview, he was asked if he is afraid that Messi’s father Jorge will come out and give his version.
“No, not at all. If he does, I’m convinced he would say the same thing as me, because the conversation was what it was, unless they change their stories. But I don't think they'll change their stories because Jorge and I have always understood each other. What we also don't want is to divert attention from what matters to Barça fans, because now they're electing the president and the board of directors, and in this context, Xavi 's comments contribute absolutely nothing. Jorge Messi came to my house and told me they'd be better off in Miami than in Saudi Arabia or Barcelona, where they'd be under a lot of pressure. This is just an attempt to distort the elections. What Xavi is saying isn't true; he's being used by Font and he's not contributing anything to the electoral debate. This way of acting is disappointing" he said.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
Tuesday
20.45: (4.30) Galatasaray (4.05) Liverpool (1.85)
23.00: (4.70) Atalanta (4.50) Bayern (1.70)
23.00: (1.73) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Tottenham (5.10)
23.00: (2.70) Newcastle (4.00) Barcelona (2.45)
Wednesday
20.45: (5.65) Leverkusen (4.30) Arsenal (1.62)
23.00: (2.60) Bodo (3.80) Sporting (2.65)
23.00: (2.00) PSG (3.60) Chelsea (4.00)
23.00: (3.50) Real Madrid (3.90) Man.City (2.05)
***odds are subject to change***