La Liga president Javier Tebas has firmly denied claims that the league authorized a return for Lionel Messi to FC Barcelona in 2023, directly contradicting recent statements by former Barca coach Xavi Hernández.
La Liga president Tebas breaks silence on Xavi’s bombshell claim of Messi’s possible return to Barca after World Cup
Tebas's denial undercuts Xavi's narrative by asserting that Barcelona never even formally sought or received league permission for the deal. As the La Liga president spoke to the RTVE sports show Estudio Estadio, said:
“La Liga did not authorise anything regarding Leo Messi's return to Barcelona in 2023.”
Tebas emphasized that no approval or green light was ever given for the operation, calling such assertions untrue. This swift rebuttal came just one day after Xavi accused current Barcelona president Joan Laporta of blocking the move despite supposed league approval.
The controversy erupted during a heated Barcelona presidential election period, where Xavi, appearing in an explosive interview with La Vanguardia, claimed Messi was "already signed" following his 2022 World Cup triumph.
According to Xavi, negotiations advanced with Messi's father, Jorge Messi, and La Liga provided the necessary financial clearance, only for Laporta to back out over fears of internal power struggles and wage wars. The former Barcelona manager suggested this decision had strained his relationship with both Laporta and Messi temporarily.
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