Xavi reveals attempts to re-sign Messi and Neymar for Barcelona
Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has revealed he attempted to orchestrate sensational returns for Lionel Messi, Neymar Junior, and Pedro Rodriguez during his tenure at the club. In an interview with Brazilian legend Romario, cited by Spanish outlet MD, Xavi stated his efforts were ultimately thwarted by the club's dire financial situation and, in Messi's case, the stance of president Joan Laporta.
Xavi, who managed Barcelona from November 2021 until the summer of 2024, claimed he successfully brought back Dani Alves and pushed for the high-profile reunions. "I tried to bring back Neymar, Pedro and Messi when I was coach," Xavi said. He attributed the failures to sign Neymar and Pedro specifically to the club's "very difficult economic situation," noting that "Financial Fair Play was severely limiting us, and the famous salaries."
Regarding Lionel Messi, whose contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in the summer of 2023, Xavi offered a more pointed explanation. He stated the Argentine's return "did not happen because Laporta did not want to." This aligns with Xavi's previous public comments that he advocated for Messi's signing, only to be overruled by the club's hierarchy. Messi ultimately joined Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
The revelation adds a new layer to the understanding of Xavi's transfer-market ambitions during a period of severe financial constraint for Barcelona. His admission underscores the significant gap between the coach's desired squad reinforcements and the economic reality imposed by the club's well-documented leverage issues with La Liga's salary cap.
Xavi also reflected broadly on his time in charge, describing it as more challenging than his playing career. "Managing was much more difficult than playing," he said, while expressing pride in having taken over when "the club was in the worst moment in its history." He credited his regime with winning two titles—the 2022-23 La Liga championship and the 2023 Spanish Super Cup—and laying a foundation of young players that successor Hansi Flick is now utilizing.
The 46-year-old suggested his departure was influenced by a breakdown in relations with the board, citing "a personal issue with a person at the club who didn’t let us continue." Despite the transfer frustrations, Xavi maintains he left a competitive structure, stating he "demanded a lot from Laporta" upon arrival to stabilize the sporting project. These candid disclosures provide a rare insight into the internal dynamics and constraints faced by a modern Barcelona manager, highlighting how financial limitations directly shaped the club's ability to pursue even its most iconic former stars.
