Xavi Banned from FC Barcelona Activities

Xavi Hernandez has been banned from FC Barcelona's club activities, including Legends matches, due to his opposition to President Joan Laporta. On June 11, 2026, reports emerged that Xavi, a widely-regarded legend of the Blaugrana and Spain, hasn't been called up to the last two Barca Legends meetings.

Xavi pointed the finger at Alejandro Echevarria, Laporta's ex-brother-in-law and right-hand man, during an explosive interview with Catalan newspaper La Vanguardia earlier this year. Echevarria is suspected to be behind the 'ban' that will stay in place for further Legends events.

Xavi accused Laporta of vetoing Lionel Messi's proposed 2023 return to the club. The timing of these comments was especially important, as they were viewed as Xavi endorsing Laporta's main rival, Victor Font, during the build-up to a March election Laporta won.

Xavi claimed that Lionel Messi was keen to come back to the club in January 2023, after winning the World Cup. Xavi added that he told Messi he would inform the president, as he saw it as a good fit from a footballing perspective.

The president started negotiating the contract with Messi's father, and they had La Liga's approval, but it was the president who threw everything off, according to Xavi. AS describes Xavi as living this situation with anger and indignation.

Xavi was looking forward to playing alongside former teammates and close friends, such as Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Javier Mascherano, in South Korea. However, Xavi's agents received a call from Luis Sa, informing them that the iconic number 6 would not be able to star in Seoul.

This is another example of a frosty relationship between Laporta and one of the head coaches of his second reign, which began in 2021. Things were previously sour between Laporta and Ronald Koeman, but the Catalan and Dutchman have already announced they've made up.

Xavi announced he was resigning in early 2024, only to go back on his word and vow to see out his contract. After publicly stating that Barca was unable to keep up with bitter rival Real Madrid financially, Laporta dismissed Xavi before the close of a trophyless 2023/2024 campaign.

Xavi has always maintained he has a good relationship with Hansi Flick, who in two terms has returned FC Barcelona to domestic dominance by scooping five out of the six Spanish trophies on offer. Real Madrid has won nothing since. On June 11, 2026, Xavi's situation with FC Barcelona remains uncertain, with his ban from club activities still in place.