Xavi offers response to Messi's brother's rant

Barcelona manager Xavi Herandez has responded to the rants by Lionel Messi’s brother Matias which have gone viral since they happened a few days ago. 

Matias Messi launched a foul-mouthed tirade against Barcelona and its president Joan Laporta where he alleged that the club would be nowhere in history without Messi and that Laporta was ungrateful to Messi for not finding a way to keep him at Barcelona. 

Matias also suggested in his tongue-lashing of the club and president that Messi would never be willing to return to Barcelona even if he leaves Paris Saint-Germain at the end of his current contract which expires in July 2023.

Xavi has chosen not to dwell on the matter, especially as Matias has apologised, and has elected to move past the whole situation. 

Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s LaLiga match against Villarreal, Xavi said, “If he apologised, that’s it. I know the family well, they are grateful people. 

“When you’re wrong, you apologise. I have also been the first to do it when I have been wrong. You don’t have to give it more importance.”

Barcelona and Xavi will be up against Villarreal in LaLiga hoping to open an 11-point gap from Real Madrid in second place while Los Blancos are away in Morocco for the Club World Cup. 

The Blaugrana have been dominant in LaLiga this season and have racked up 53 points in the league. They have also won their last 10 consecutive matches in all competitions, including the Supercopa de Espana semifinal and final. 

They will not be too bothered by Matias’ comments about them with the club doing so well, and they will instead be focused on games against Villarreal this weekend, and Manchester United in the Europa League during the week.