Xavi Hernandez has reiterated his desire to see his former teammate Lionel Messi play again for Barcelona.
The Argentine forward departed the club last summer and joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, as, once his contract expired, Barcelona couldn’t afford to offer him a new deal due to their financial issues following the COVID-19 outbreak.
“I wish Messi‘s time was not over, I think he deserves a second chance, a last chance, but that’s next year,” Xavi said in a press conference when asked about the player.
“He has a contract right now [with PSG], but I would like that.”
Xavi is optimistic about Barcelona’s 2022/23 season
Xavi went on to reveal that the coaching staff have been working on helping the team to rediscover their confidence after a season where they failed to win a single title.
“We are working on it,” Xavi added.
“We give them a lot of confidence so that they can feel loose on the pitch.
“We monitor them with individual videos so that they improve as a team.
“The players I have in the squad have my full confidence.”
Many have criticised Barcelona for spending big this summer despite their financial struggles, but Xavi believes that the club have not broken any rules.
“From the inside, we don’t have this feeling,” Xavi noted.
“We are signing with the feeling that we are doing things right, without breaking any rules, far from it.”
The Barcelona coach also hailed Jules Kounde‘s virtues and claimed that competition in the defence will help the team improve.
“I am happy with [Kounde‘s] arrival,” Xavi declared.
“He will give us a lot of output, strength.
“He can play as a full-back, like [Ronald] Araujo. That means competition. It means a lot for us. Competition and performance. Whoever is better will play.
“We have more central defenders. I’ve spoken to him and he’s coming to compete, to make a difference, and I think he can do it. He has leadership skills.”
Marca
