Xavi has laughed off suggestions that Florentino Perez could attempt a Luis Figo style transfer for Lionel Messi.
Barca midfielder laughs off claims linking Lionel Messi with Real
Barcelona midfielder Xavi has laughed off suggestions that Florentino Perez could attempt a Luis Figo style transfer for Lionel Messi.
The Figo deal, for a then world record fee of £37million, helped Perez win the Real Madrid presidency election in 2000 when the Portuguese did the unthinkable and signed from Barca.
Perez, who was president of Madrid for six years before resigning in 2006, is rumoured to want the post back following Ramon Calderon's resignation last week, and is reportedly using the Messi link to get fans onside.
But Xavi is confident that neither his Argentinian team-mate nor the club would allow such a deal to take place.
"You have to be joking, I think everyone at Barcelona is intelligent enough not to let the best player in the world go," he said.
Barca face Numancia at the weekend, with their opponents still the only team to defeat them in the league this season following their 1-0 opening day win.
Revenge
"There is always revenge in football," the Spanish Euro 2008 winner said.
"You always have thorns in your side. Now we are on a good run and don't want it to end, although there is 'Numantine Wall' ahead of us."
The 28-year-old was rested for his side's 0-0 draw away at city rivals Espanyol in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final this week and he maintains that it will be beneficial come the end of the season.
"I am feeling great. Everyone is planning things well, we are training properly. I have spoken to the others and we all agree," he added.
"The games where some players sit things out will help us reach the end of the season in peak condition.
"I am sure we'll be strong going into the months of March, April and May. We have won other times and done well with these same players.
"Whoever plays the philosophy is still the same. For us there is no A or B team. That's what you lot say. For us every player is important."
