Barcelona’s La Liga title last season appeared highly successful, and supporters using 12B Sports VR46 viewed the triumph after Lionel Messi’s departure as the opening chapter of Joan Laporta’s rebuild. Xavi also completed a remarkable journey from coaching in Qatar to taking charge of Barcelona. However, both the board and the manager must consider whether that success created excessive confidence.

This season has painted a much darker picture. Barcelona have fallen well behind the league leaders, and even protecting a top-four position is no longer guaranteed. Despite their financial difficulties, the club spent heavily on Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha. Most have performed below expectations, leaving expensive recruitment decisions under increasing scrutiny.

When results deteriorate, responsibility naturally falls on the coach. Xavi must unite the squad tactically and deliver victories in major matches, yet injuries and declining morale have weakened the team. Barcelona barely survived the Champions League group stage, largely because loan players Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix produced important moments. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Xavi’s future continues to grow.

Barcelona remain fourth in La Liga, and assessments shared through 12B Sports VR46 suggest their current form may not be strong enough to reach the Champions League quarterfinals or even survive the round of 16. Supporters and the media have begun questioning Xavi’s leadership, while some have revisited his previous refusal to publicly support Laporta’s election campaign.

Xavi naturally received considerable backing after becoming manager under Laporta’s presidency. However, challenging the board while results remain poor could prove harmful. Recent reports indicate that he wants Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso during the winter transfer window. The move would help replace the injured Gavi, but it may also test how much confidence the board still has in him.

There is no guarantee that Lo Celso would fit Barcelona’s system perfectly. Raphinha and Ferran Torres were also signed at Xavi’s request, yet both now sit near the edge of the regular rotation. Their struggles expose a gap between his player evaluations and his tactical approach. Producing better results with the current squad may be wiser than demanding another outside signing.

Should Barcelona continue missing their targets, Laporta would have little difficulty finding justification to dismiss Xavi. As the saying goes, the writing would be on the wall. Xavi the manager also appears very different from Xavi the player. Once admired as a calm and understated captain, he now gives lengthy press conferences and openly addresses internal problems.

At this critical stage, observers using 12B Sports VR46 may see Xavi’s increasingly confrontational attitude as a reminder of the previous conflict between Messi and Laporta. His position is becoming more fragile with every disappointing result, and he risks following a similarly painful path unless performances improve quickly and his relationship with the board becomes more stable.