Xavi denies discussing Lionel Messi's possible return to Barcelona
With Lionel Messi’s contract being up in the summer, the Argentine is heavily linked with a return to Barcelona. However, Xavi wants his side to stay focused on their La Liga title race.
Messi left Barcelona and joined PSG as a free agent in the summer of 2021. Xavi helped the club achieve their first silverware since the Argentine's departure by winning the Supercopa de Espana. Leading the La Liga table with 71 points, Xavi wants his side to focus on the upcoming matches and not potential transfer activity.
"I think this is not the time to talk about Messi's return. I talk to Leo often, I have a friendship, but this is not the time,"
he told reporters ahead of facing Elche.
"Neither for his sake nor for that of the club. It is a subject that is being discussed, I have a lot of contact with him.
"Hopefully, we can see him again here, I would be the first one who would be made happy. He is the best player in history, but boy, it's not the time.
"We are a month away from winning two titles, and it's time to focus.
"It doesn't depend on me, it depends much more on what Leo wants to do. He's done everything in football, he's won everything; it depends on his happiness.
"I have a great relationship with him, and if he has the decision that he wants to come back, we will listen to him and be delighted.
"We're going to listen to fate. Let's see what happens, there's nothing yet. Let's see the will he has.
"We do a disservice to Leo, the team, the club. We are one step away from achieving success in the post-Messi era that scared us so much. This is success."
Pressed further about Messi's speculations, Xavi said: "
We haven't talked about next year with the board.
"We are one step away from winning titles and you talk to me about signings next year. You are specialists in changing the subject.
"On Wednesday, we can go to the Copa final. Everything is to be won.
"Sometimes I do not understand you [the media]. All year round, the talk is to win titles, and now that we are one step away, we talk about players for next season. Let's focus on Elche."
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