Laporta says Xavi 'couldn't balance his family with work' in Messi row

In a fiery presidential debate ahead of the March 15 elections, Joan Laporta hit back at former manager Xavi and rejected claims he blocked Lionel Messi's return. He portrayed the coach as struggling under the demands of the job and blamed a lack of professional focus for Xavi's departure.

Laporta said: "He relaxed and couldn't balance his family and professional life. He said our team wouldn't be competitive in Europe. He was constantly dissatisfied with the squad he had. And regarding Messi, in 2023 I sent the contract to Jorge Messi, who was very polite.

And in May he told me it couldn't happen because he would be under too much pressure here and that he preferred to go to Miami. And I told him I respected that." Xavi had earlier said Messi was close to returning in 2023 after discussions began shortly after the World Cup in Qatar, and claimed Barcelona had already received La Liga approval.

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