Barcelona, Spain – In a stunning and long-awaited statement, former FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández has publicly criticized club president Joan Laporta and key advisor Alejandro Echevarría, alleging a dysfunctional power structure and revealing details surrounding his departure and Lionel Messi’s failed return to the Camp Nou. The explosive interview with La Vanguardia, published Monday, has sent shockwaves through the Catalan club just days before upcoming presidential elections.
Xavi, a Barcelona icon both as a player and manager, stated he felt compelled to speak out after two years of silence. “I want to tell my truth,” he said, explaining his decision to break his silence now was motivated by respect for the club, but a require to clarify the circumstances surrounding his exit. The core of his accusations centers on the influence of Alejandro Echevarría, whom Xavi claims effectively controls the club’s operations.
“I’m out because I stood up to Alejandro Echevarría,” Xavi reportedly told La Vanguardia. “That’s how this Barça works, practically it’s run by Alejandro Echevarría, who dedicated himself to talking to players like Sergi Roberto, Araújo, Pedri, or Raphinha and telling them that I wanted to sell them.” This claim paints a picture of a fractured dressing room and a manager undermined by internal forces.
The situation reportedly deteriorated after Barcelona’s Champions League elimination against Paris Saint-Germain. Xavi alleges that Echevarría informed him that a majority of the board no longer supported his continuation as manager. However, a subsequent dinner with Laporta seemingly reversed that decision, with Xavi stating he only requested minimal changes to the squad – “only dispensing with one player, not ten.”
With the presidential election looming, Xavi didn’t hold back in his criticism of the current board. “I want it to be known that things at Barça are not working well,” he asserted. “I want the members to understand what is happening inside Barça and, with my hand on my heart, that the club needs a change from top to bottom, of structure, of professionalism… We cannot depend on people who are not noble.” He further accused Echevarría of controlling Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, stating, “Deco is shackled by Echevarría, who is the one who decides.”
Xavi’s accusations extend to his own dismissal, claiming Laporta initially supported his appointment but ultimately betrayed his trust. “I signed for Barça thanks to Laporta, but he ended up failing me. He dispensed with me without telling me the truth, conditioned by Alejandro Echevarría,” he said. He likewise expressed regret for not leaving the club sooner, following the departures of Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany, believing the team’s decline began at that point. “When others started making the decisions, the team started to go down and not by chance.”
Perhaps the most explosive revelation concerns Lionel Messi’s potential return to Barcelona in 2023. Xavi claims that while a deal was close to being finalized, with “green light” from La Liga regarding financial fair play regulations, Laporta ultimately blocked the move. “The president started negotiating the contract with Messi’s father and we had the green light from the League, but it is the president who stops everything. Laporta told me explicitly that if Messi returned, he would start a war and he couldn’t allow it.” This suggests a complex internal dynamic where Laporta prioritized avoiding conflict over securing the return of the club’s greatest ever player.
The timing of Xavi’s statements is particularly significant, coming less than a week before the Barcelona presidential election. While Laporta is the favorite to win reelection, these allegations could significantly impact the outcome, potentially swaying voters concerned about the club’s internal governance and direction. The accusations raise serious questions about the true power structure at Barcelona and the extent to which Laporta is truly in control.
The fallout from Xavi’s interview is likely to dominate headlines in the coming days, and the upcoming election will be closely watched to see if voters respond to his criticisms. The revelations have opened a new chapter in the ongoing saga at FC Barcelona, a club grappling with financial difficulties and searching for a path back to its former glory. The club has not yet responded to Xavi’s allegations as of this writing.
Barcelona’s next match is against Atlético Madrid on March 31st at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium (21:00 CET / 15:00 ET). The game will be a crucial one in the La Liga title race, with both teams vying for position at the top of the table. The atmosphere at the stadium is expected to be charged, given the recent turmoil surrounding the club.
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