Xavi explained that he wanted to bring back some legendary footballers to the team, including Messi. "I managed to bring Dani Alves back, and I tried the same with Neymar, Pedro, and Messi. What was clear is that Pedro and Neymar couldn't sign for us due to the economic situation. When it comes to Messi, the president (Joan Laporta, ed.) didn't want him. We tried to bring him in 2023. We talked for five months, and everything was set, but in the end, the club president said no," Xavi added. For context, Messi left Barcelona in 2021 after more than two decades at the club, where he earned the status of the greatest legend and became football's GOAT.