Laporta hits back at Xavi: The same players are winning under Flick

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has hit back at Xavi by stating the same group of players have won more under Hansi Flick.

Xavi, a Blaugrana legend, left his role in charge of Barca at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Under his guidance, Barca won LaLiga in the 2022-23 campaign.

In a recent interview with La Vanguardia, Xavi sensationally lashed out at Laporta, insisting Barca's president blocked a move to re-sign Lionel Messi in 2023.

Xavi also said Laporta has lied about why he was sacked.

But Laporta suggested Xavi is bitter that Barca, who won a treble last season, have enjoyed such success under Flick, who took charge in 2024.

In a live debate on Sport, Laporta said: "It hurt. 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.

"The same players who were losing with Xavi are now winning with Flick."

Xavi won 90 of his 143 matches in charge of Barca in all competitions (62.9%), losing 29 times.

Flick, meanwhile, has won 77 of his 102 matches in charge (75.5%), suffering just 16 defeats.

He has also got the best out of Raphinha, who was a bit-part player under Xavi, while Lamine Yamal continues to shine.

Laporta added: "[Xavi] became complacent and couldn't balance his professional and family life.

"He said that in two years, Barca wouldn't be competitive against Real Madrid and in Europe. I called him to ask him about it, and he told me he'd been misunderstood, but he was constantly dissatisfied with the squad and the referees, obviously, but he said the squad wasn't competitive."

Xavi, for his part, is happy Flick is doing well at Barca.

"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, but nobody told me to my face.

"Flick apologised, we spoke for more than two hours, it was fantastic. The club had told him not to tell me anything, and that’s why he came to my house to apologise.

"He’s a good person, very noble, and I'm happy things are going well for him."

Barca, who beat Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday, face Newcastle United in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday.