Barcelona president Joan Laporta has come to the defense of adviser Alejandro Echevarría and given his thoughts on the incident in 2023 if Messi fails to return. The Catalans were in talks to bring back Messi, but in an interview on Sunday night, then-head coach Xavi Hernandez claimed Laporta had sabotaged his return.
During Monday morning’s electoral debate with presidential candidate Victor Font, Laporta attributed Xavi’s comments to bitterness because Hansi Flick is currently more successful than him. Laporta told Cadena Cope on Monday night that the decision not to return rests entirely with Messi.
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“What saddens me the most is that Mr Font used a Barcelona legend like Xavi. I don’t quite understand why Xavi said that to Messi. It seemed that after he left PSG, something would happen; I gave him a draft contract and he came to my house and said they had decided to be better off in Miami. That was it. Bringing it up now will only make the election more confusing.”
Laporta’s explanation for ‘not afraid’ of Messi
Messi has remained relatively opaque about his return so far, admitting there have been conversations but noting that he was told Barcelona would have to sell players to complete the deal. La Liga president Javier Tebas claimed that the league did not approve Messi’s return due to salary restrictions, while Laporta’s statement differed from both.
“We just barely met the requirements of fair play. The contract was sent to Jorge (Messi) and while waiting for his reply, Messi came. At the end of the month, he told me that they had decided on Inter Miami. That’s how it ended. I’m not worried about Messi or Jorge saying the same “
Alejandro Echevarria “One of the nicest people I know”
Meanwhile, another focus of Harvey’s interview was the role of consultant Alejandro Echevarría. Echevarria initially served on Laporta’s board during his first term but resigned in 2005 after it became public knowledge that he was a patron of the Francisco Franco Foundation, which promotes the “work” of the former Spanish dictator. He returned to the club under Joan Laporta but without a formal role.
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“Alejandro works for the club; he is completely trustworthy, especially with the Spanish Football Federation and La Liga matters. He is always looking for balance in the dressing room. He is one of the best people I know – smart, brave and honest. He has these qualities. I have Masip and Alejandro. Some people get paid, but Alejandro does not. He has his own career and is immune to that. I have advisers like John who are my idols and we have a very good relationship.”
The former Barcelona midfielder claims Laporta’s former brother-in-law Echevarría had as much control as the former president himself and that it was Echevarría who orchestrated his sacking.
“It’s not a matter of who is responsible. It was my turn to lead, and I led willingly, making decisions taking into account the opinions of those around me. They wanted to cause harm; it was a deliberate attempt to hurt me by attacking others. It is despicable because if we look at how Xavi’s services were dismissed, Yost and Alejandro were his strongest defenders. They persisted. We said things were not working and I must say with a heavy heart that this matter is over; I admire Xavi and if I saw him I would try to understand why he did what he did.”
Elections are scheduled to take place in Barcelona this Sunday, with either Fonte or Laporta being elected president for a five-year term. The latter is running for his fourth term.