Xavi insisted that now is not the time to talk about a possible reunion with Lionel Messi as Barcelona are close to the La Liga title.
Having already won the Spanish Super Cup, the club’s first silver medal since Messi’s departure in 2021, Barcelona are leading La Liga with 12 points and are leading 1-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Real Madrid.
A potential treble remains on the cards for Xavi’s side, but with Messi ending the final months of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the hype of the return of the Argentina World Cup winner to the Camp Nou is growing.
Although Xavi is understandably eager to bring his former teammate back to Barcelona, he is focused on the upcoming fixtures rather than any possible transfer activity.
“I think now is not the time to talk about the return of Messi. I often talk with Leo, I have a friendship, but now is not the time,” he told reporters before meeting with Elche.
“Not for him, not for the club. This is a topic that is being discussed, I communicate with him a lot.
“I hope we can see him here again, I will be the first to be happy. He is the best player in history, but now is not the time.
“We’re a month away from winning two titles and it’s time to focus.
“It doesn’t depend on me, much more depends on what Leo wants to do. He achieved everything in football, he won everything; it depends on his happiness.
100 – Lionel Messi scored 100 goals for Argentina. He has scored in 11 of 12 games for Albiceleste since September. Milestone. https://t.co/ToKscd0wak
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) March 29, 2023
“I have a great relationship with him, and if he decides he wants to come back, we will listen to him and we will be delighted.
“We will listen to fate. Let’s see what happens, so far nothing. Let’s see what kind of will he has.
“We are doing 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. It’s a success.”
Continuing to push for Messi, and the following season, Xavi again tried to shift the focus to the pursuit of additional trophies in this campaign.
“We haven’t discussed next year with the board,” he said. “We are one step away from winning titles and you are talking to me about signing contracts next year. You are experts at changing the subject.
“On Wednesday we can reach the Cup final. Everything must be won.
“Sometimes I don’t understand you (the media). It’s all about winning titles all year round, and now that we’re one step away from that, we’re talking about players for next season. Let’s focus on Elche.”