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'We were all looking forward to it', Xavi reflects on Messi's aborted return to Barcelona

2023-06-08T14:03:26.318Z

Highlights: Xavi Hernández was the guest of Gerard Romero, streamer specialized in Barca news, in the show Jijantes. The Barcelona coach, who was chatting live with the man he considers "the best player in history", was asked about Messi's choice. Xavi: "I was convinced it would have worked with Leo. I've always said it depends on Leo. Naturally, he decided to go to Miami. Let him enjoy, I love him and it won't change anything" The coach also returned to another rumor, concerning the possible return of Neymar.


During an interview for a specialized program on Barça, the coach of the Blaugrana, and friend of Messi, confided this Thursday on the


He does not hide it. The disappointment is equal to the hopes and expectations: immense. This Thursday, a few hours after Messi's decision to commit to Inter Miami, Xavi was the guest of Gerard Romero, streamer specialized in Barça news, in the show Jijantes. The Barcelona coach, who was chatting live with the man he considers "the best player in history", was asked about Messi's choice.

While the now ex-number 10 of PSG was expected on the side of the Saudi club of Al-Hilal - for a tidy sum of about 400 million euros per year - or Barcelona, where he is considered a god, the Argentine finally dribbled everyone by taking the direction of Miami, the current dunce of the anonymous North American championship. If the Catalan coach is disappointed not to recruit the player to the 7 Ballon d'Or, the man understands the decision of his friend with whom he won many campaigns in the Barça jersey.

📺 DIRECTO @JijantesFC

🗣️ Xavi Hernández: "A Leo le noté un cambio en los últimos días o semanas de que quizás no lo veía tan claro. Muchas veces nos falta empatía. Ser Leo Messi no tiene que ser fácil".https://t.co/OGW0AKAWMl pic.twitter.com/LES5SoWi0V

— Jijantes FC (@JijantesFC) June 8, 2023

"We were all looking forward to it," Xavi said. He was the first (choice), but it didn't work. Often, we want something, but the circumstances are not met. He wants to take the pressure off: he wants a quieter life. »

After several weeks of discussions where the outcome seemed favorable to a return to Spain, the coach has "noticed a change" on Messi's side "in recent days". "He may not have looked at things as clearly as we did, and we have to respect that," Xavi continues. Often, we don't put ourselves in each other's situation. We lack empathy, being Leo is not an easy situation. Imagine all the attention he has on him all the time: he must always have 10 in all. It cannot fail. And he said he hasn't had any good times in the last couple of years. I can understand that he doesn't want so much pressure anymore. We talked a lot. »

For Xavi, it is therefore "a personal decision" - perhaps motivated by the last "difficult" years, according to Messi at PSG - that must be respected. "I was convinced that we would do good things with Messi here. I don't want to disappoint the people of Barcelona. There are private conversations with Leo that I won't reveal, but he was very enthusiastic. He was motivated, and so were we. I wish him the best, he's a friend, we've talked a lot. Until a few days ago, there was communication. It has not been easy (...). I was convinced it would have worked with Leo. I've always said it depends on Leo. Naturally, he decided to go to Miami. Let him enjoy, I love him and it won't change anything. »

📺 DIRECTO @JijantesFC

🗣️ Xavi Hernández: "Es una sorpresa esto que se dice de Neymar. En teoría no está en la planificación. Lo aprecio mucho pero hay otras prioridades. El área deportiva ya conoce todos los nombres".https://t.co/OGW0AKAWMl pic.twitter.com/ZeLZTxqYt8

— Jijantes FC (@JijantesFC) June 8, 2023

The Barcelona coach also returned to another rumor, that concerning the possible return to Catalonia of Neymar. "Is that true? It's a surprise, in theory it's not planned, said the former Blaugrana number 6. I appreciate it very much as a friend, but there are other priorities. And the names are known to the sports department. The cards are on the table. »

Source: leparis

All sports articles on 2023-06-08

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