Amid ongoing rift between Xavi Hernández and Joan Laporta, the latter has insisted that the same group of players who struggled under the club legend are now thriving under current manager Hansi Flick at FC Barcelona.

The exchange follows an interview Xavi granted to La Vanguardia, where the former midfielder accused Laporta of blocking a potential return for Lionel Messi in 2023 and claimed the club president had been dishonest about the circumstances surrounding his departure.

Xavi, who led Barcelona to the LaLiga title in the 2022-23 season, left his coaching role at the end of the 2023-24 campaign after overseeing 143 matches in charge. During that period, he recorded 90 wins and 29 defeats, achieving a win rate of about 62.9 per cent.

Laporta, speaking during a live debate on Sport, admitted he was hurt by the remarks but defended the decision to part ways with the former coach.

According to the Barcelona president, it became clear the team’s results would not improve if Xavi remained in charge.

“It hurt”, he said. “When I see these statements, I think of Flick.

“It’s tough being president because you have to make difficult decisions. With Xavi, I saw that we would continue losing, so it’s reassuring to see how things have turned out.”

Laporta pointed out that Barcelona’s current squad has produced better results under the German manager, arguing that players who had previously struggled are now performing at a higher level.

“The same players who were losing with Xavi are now winning with Flick”, he added.

Flick, who took charge of Barcelona in 2024, has overseen 102 matches so far, winning 77 and losing just 16 for a win percentage of about 75.5 per cent. Under his guidance, the Catalan side enjoyed major success last season, securing a treble.

The coach has also revived the form of Raphinha, who had played a limited role during Xavi’s tenure, while teenage talent Lamine Yamal continues to impress.

Laporta also suggested that Xavi had grown complacent during his time as coach and struggled to balance professional responsibilities with family life. He added that the former midfielder frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the squad and officiating decisions.

The Barcelona president further claimed that Xavi once suggested the team would struggle to compete with Real Madrid and Europe’s top clubs within two years, comments that raised concerns within the club hierarchy.

Despite the tensions, Xavi insisted he bears no ill will toward Flick and revealed that the German coach personally visited him to clear the air before taking over at the club.

According to Xavi, Flick apologised after he asked whether Barcelona had already been in talks with him while Xavi was still in charge. The two reportedly held a lengthy discussion lasting more than two hours, which Xavi described as a positive and respectful conversation.

“Hansi Flick came to apologise when I asked him whether the club had really been talking to him while I was still the coach,” he said.

“During those three weeks when the club had already decided to get rid of me, nobody told me to my face.”

Xavi added that Flick explained the club had instructed him not to discuss the situation with the then-coach, which prompted him to visit Xavi at home to offer an apology.

Barcelona are currently preparing for a crucial European clash after securing a 1-0 victory over Athletic Club in their latest league outing. The Spanish giants will next face Newcastle United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round-of-16 tie on Tuesday.