The bitter war of words also exposed deep-rooted institutional fractures, with the former captain claiming he was misled and ultimately dismissed by Alejandro Echevarria, a powerful advisor he alleges practically runs the club. He expressed profound disappointment at being let down by the very administration that brought him back.
In response, Laporta accused him of acting as a political pawn for presidential rival Victor Font just days before the elections given Xavi has aligned himself with the rival campaign. Concluding his defence, the incumbent president maintained that his harshest calls = severing ties with icons like Ronald Koeman, the Argentine forward, and the Spanish tactician - were for the institution's best interests.