Lionel Messi: Remembering How PSG Star Praised Barcelona’s Appointment of Xavi As the New Manager

• Lionel Messi always believed that Xavi was the perfect person to take over as Barcelona's manager
• Xavi has been in charge of Barcelona for over a year now, and the club has enjoyed success under him
• Barcelona have kept 17 clean sheets this season in La Liga and have only conceded 7 goals under Xavi

It's been over a year since Barcelona hired Xavi Hernandez as the first team coach and things are looking up for the Blaugrana.

Barcelona's success under the Spaniard will come as no surprise to Lionel Messi though.

The former Barcelona star previously predicted that Xavi was the right man for the job, Tribuna reported.

What did Messi say?

"I'm sure Xavi will help Barcelona. They'll improve thanks to him. He's a manager who knows how to proceed in these situations, he knows Barca so well,' Messi said.

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The Argentinian superstar added that Xavi was a great appointment for the Blaugrana.

Xavi's record at Barcelona

Xavi has enjoyed an excellent start to his career as a manager. He's been in charge for 71, with Barcelona winning 46. They've drawn 13 of those and lost 12, Transfermarkt reported.

This season has seen the club build on their start under Xavi and lead the La Liga table by eight points. They also have racked up 17 clean sheets and only conceded 7 goals in La Liga.

They also won their first trophy with the former Barca man at the helm, winning the Spanish Supercopa earlier this year.

Barca keen on keeping Xavi

Barca Universal recently confirmed that the Blaugrana were already considering extending Xavi's contract because they have been so impressed with him. Xavi's contract is due to expire at the end of next season.

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Xavi approves Messi's return

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has publicly declared that he would like to see the return of Lionel Messi to the club next season, Sports Brief previously reported.

Messi, 35, exited the Camp Nou to join the French giants on a free transfer in 2021, calling an emotional end to his 21-year Barcelona career.

Xavi, after taking over as Barcelona manager, joined club president Joan Laporta in talking about Messi's potential return.