For the past few months, the talks of Lionel Messi returning to FC Barcelona have taken the soccer world by storm. While Messi still continues to be a PSG player, a move out of the French club seems imminent. Although there are rumors of other clubs waiting to sign the Argentine star, Messi’s priority seems to be Barca. However, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez isn’t too pleased with these rumors.
Xavi: “I’d love for Leo Messi to return. It’s a topic we’re working on, but it doesn’t just depend on me”. 🔵🔴 #FCB
“It depends on Lionel’s happiness and whether he wants to return”.
“It’s not the right time to speak about that — but I’d be the first one to be very happy”. pic.twitter.com/RVc6P0aQiS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 31, 2023
As per reports from El Confidencial, Xavi believes that these rumors will hurt the interest of the club. Xavi said, “It is not the time to talk about Leo’s return. I talk to him often, but now is not the time for the benefit of everyone: for the player himself, for the club, for the current squad. ” However, the statement doesn’t mean that Xavi is not in favor of Messi’s return to Barca.
In his statement, Xavi also said, “I wish that he can come back to help us. He’s the best player in the world and in history. ” Xavi thinks that these rumors might destabilize the current form of the team, which sit at the top of La Liga. Xavi’s Barca is currently the favorite to win La Liga with a 15-point lead. Barca can also feature in the Spanish Cup final if they manage to hold Real Madrid in the second leg of the semifinals later this week.
Barcelona accused of using Lionel Messi rumors as a ruse to divert attention
The recent rumors of Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona have aroused suspicion among soccer fans. While most fans are rejoicing in the chances of Messi’s homecoming, some believe that there is more to these rumors than meets the eye. They believe that these rumors are being used by Barca to divert the media’s attention from the ongoing Negreira case.
Recently, FC Barcelona was accused of corruption for paying the former vice-president of Spanish soccer’s refereeing committee. Jose Negreira, the man accused of receiving the payments, has denied the charges. However, UEFA recently announced that it will soon be investigating the club. FC Barcelona was accused of paying Jose Negreira and his son, Javier, for a period from 2001 to 2018.
Image: What every Barcelona president from 2001 – 2018 paid to Negreira’s company per year.
— @sport pic.twitter.com/0aPY27g5AQ
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 27, 2023
Negreira stated that the money, which amounts to $7.9 million, was simply for advisory functions. Although Barca president Joan Laporta has assured fans of the club’s innocence. Laporta stated that these accusations were just a ploy to “destabilize the team.” However, if found guilty, Barca would be more likely to face economic sanctions than sporting ones.