Barcelona ace Xavi gives Man Utd, City and Chelsea hope over future Lionel Messi transfer

BARCELONA midfielder Xavi admits the spat between manager Luis Enrique and star forward Lionel Messi could happen again - but that doesn't mean Messi will be sold.

10:00, Sat, Jan 31, 2015

Xavi at Barcelona GETTY

Xavi (right) concedes Lionel Messi (left) will likely fall out with Luis Enrique again

Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea were all ready to swoop in for the disgruntled Messi, valued at around £200million.

Chelsea, in particular, looked a likely destination for the Argentine ace and his agent was recently blamed for the deal falling through.

Messi was fuming at Enrique during a training-ground bust up earlier this month and results showed as Barcelona restarted their Liga campaign after the winter break with a defeat to Real Sociedad.

But Xavi has cooled water on lingering tensions between the pair, although he believes they may lock horns again in the future.

"It's all quite understandable, it's no big deal," Xavi said.

Lionel Messi Player Profile

"From within the group, we give it the importance it deserves, which is zero.

"It happened and it's history. And I'm sure it will happen again.

"You have to treat it with the importance it deserves: zero."

Xavi also insists that Barca can improve ahead of their return to Champions League action next month as the club ride on the back of seven straight wins.

He said: "The results have changed. If we had won at Anoeta even 2-1, we would be leaders. Results change everything here. It's a shame but it's true. We weren't so bad before and we're not so good now. We're on the right track."