Messi Barcelona Return Not on Table, Romano Confirms After Xavi Row

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on speculation surrounding a potential Lionel Messi comeback to Barcelona, insisting there is nothing concrete being discussed behind the scenes.

The Inter Miami forward has dominated Spanish football talk this week following Xavi's bombshell allegations that Barcelona president Joan Laporta sabotaged a deal to bring the Argentina international back to the Camp Nou in January 2023.

According to the former Barcelona boss, the move had already been rubber-stamped by La Liga and that Messi himself was keen to return after winning the World Cup. Xavi claimed the only obstacle was Laporta's refusal to greenlight the transfer.

"Laporta doesn't tell the truth there either," Xavi told La Vanguardia. "Leo was signed. In January 2023, after becoming world champion, we contacted and he tells me that he is excited to return and I see him."

The Barcelona legend went on to explain that negotiations had progressed with Messi's father and that La Liga had given the nod, but Laporta pulled the plug fearing wage bill complications. "Laporta told me that if Leo came back, there would be a wage war and he couldn't afford that," Xavi said.

Xavi's parting shot was unambiguous: "My interest is to tell the truth, which is that Messi is never returning to Barcelona simply because Laporta doesn't want that – it's not because of La Liga or Jorge Messi asking for money, that's all a lie."

La Liga president Javier Tebas swiftly moved to contradict the narrative, flatly denying the league had authorised any such arrangement. "It's not true. La Liga did not authorise anything whatsoever, nor did it have the OK," he responded.

Now Romano has stepped in to draw a line under the matter, clarifying that while the 2023 saga will doubtless fuel further debate in Spain—particularly with Barcelona's presidential elections looming—any notion of Messi playing for the club again in the near term is wide of the mark.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: "It has been a very intense 24 hours around Barcelona and the discussion regarding a potential return of Lionel Messi."

He went on to contextualise Xavi's intervention, noting that with Barcelona's leadership race approaching, it was natural for prominent figures connected to the club to air their views. However, Romano was emphatic about the present reality.

"What I can say about the situation is that, beyond the statements we will continue to hear in the coming hours and days, there is an important clarification regarding the present and future," Romano stated. "Barcelona fans often refer to the possibility of Lionel Messi returning to the club, but at this stage in 2026 this is not something that is being discussed internally."

He stressed that regardless of who emerges victorious in the upcoming presidential ballot, a competitive return for the Argentine superstar simply is not on Barcelona's agenda right now.

"The story people are debating relates to what happened in 2023, not to plans for the immediate future," Romano added.

That said, Romano did leave the door slightly ajar for other possibilities, suggesting that commemorative occasions—such as a farewell fixture or special tribute event—could theoretically be arranged between Messi and the club down the line.

But when it comes to the prospect of Messi actually pulling on a Barcelona shirt in a competitive capacity, Romano was crystal clear: "When it comes to sporting decisions and the possibility of Messi playing again for Barcelona, I can guarantee that there are no ongoing conversations. At this stage in 2026, it is simply not a topic."