Former Barcelona president Joan Laporta has warned Xavi off a return to the Nou Camp.

Al Sadd coach revealed that he turned down the chance to succeed Ernesto Valverde as Barcelona boss in January.

Laporta, who is thought to be interested in running in the upcoming presidential elections at the Camp Nou, spoke out against current president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

"If I were Xavi, I'd never come with this board," Laporta said.

Laporta also touched on the future of Lionel Messi, whose Barcelona contract expires in 2021.

"I hope that he's there in 2021, but I'm scared that a bad decision from the board could cause an irreversible decision," he said.