Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has responded to recent criticisms from club legend Xavi, escalating tensions in the run-up to the elections. Xavi has consistently voiced his disillusionment with Laporta’s tenure and actively supports Victor Font, Laporta’s main competitor for the presidency at Spotify Camp Nou.
In a recent interview with La Vanguardia, the former midfielder launched fresh accusations against the current patron. Laporta, in turn, addressed the media on Monday alongside Font, where he took the opportunity to retort. The leading candidate for re-election in Catalonia’s capital openly questioned Xavi’s managerial competence.
“Xavi’s interview surprised and hurt me. I understand that he’s hurt,” Laporta stated. “With the same players, Flick wins… and Xavi didn’t. With Xavi I saw that we were going to lose, and with Flick, that we are going to win.” These remarks highlight a growing rift between the two prominent figures in Barcelona’s recent history.
