Xavi: It's not the time to talk about Messi's 'return'

Xavi has confirmed that now is not the time to talk about a possible reunion with Lionel Messi as Barcelona move closer to clinching the La Liga title. After winning the Spanish Super Cup, the team's first title since Messi's departure in 2021, Barcelona are 12 points clear in La Liga and have won the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals with a clean goal against Real Madrid.

The prospect of three trophies remains for Xavi's side, but with Messi currently in the final months on his contract with Paris Saint-Germain, the clamor is growing to bring the World Cup-winning Argentine back to Camp Nou.
While Xavi is keen to bring back his former Barcelona team-mate, he is currently focused on upcoming matches, not potential transfer activity.

He told reporters ahead of the Elche clash: "I think it's not the time to talk about Messi's return. I talk a lot today, we have a friendship, but this is not the right time." "I hope we can see him again, I'll be the first happy person. He's the best player in history, but this is not the time."

"We are one month away from winning two titles, and it's time to focus." "It doesn't depend on me, it depends more on what Leo wants. He did everything in football, he won everything, it's about his happiness."