In an emotional address, Xavi Hernandez announced on Thursday that he would be ending his 17-year association with FC Barcelona at the end of this current season.
Xavi Confirms Barcelona Exit
In a press conference held in front of the assembled media, prior to training ahead of the last game of the league season, he made a brief opening statement.
“I’d like to confirm that I will be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. It’s a definitive decision and a difficult one. It has not been an easy decision to make. I spoke to my family and we decided together. It is the right time to leave. I need a change of scenery.”
He went on to explain that he will be signing a two-year contract with Qatari side Al Saad, where he will continue to play but also study at the Aspire Academy where he will train to be a coach and a sporting director.
He offered his thanks to the club and explained that they had tried to convince him to stay. “I would like to thank the club that has trusted me for so long. In these last few weeks they offered a contract renewal until 2018 but the decision was already taken. Last summer was perhaps too soon. I had two great disappointments – one with the national team and the other with Barça. The club has offered me a fantastic renewal deal, but I think that it’s time to go. I don’t have the minutes that I’d like; I don’t feel like I did before.”
Record appearance maker Xavi could see last three games of his 764 game Barca story yield yet another historic treble. At the end of this weekend’s game against Deportivo La Coruna, he will lift the La Liga Trophy in front of a sell out Nou Camp crowd. This will be followed by the Copa Del Rey final versus Athletic Bilbao and the much anticipated UEFA Champions League clash with Italian giants Juventus in Berlin.
Xavi admitted he was close to an exit last summer but the club’s hierarchy and incoming boss Luis Enrique, managed to convince him to stay. As well as holding various Barca appearance records, he also is the most decorated player in the history of FC Barcelona with – at present – 23 titles.
A serial winner, especially in the last ten years with club and country, Xavi has become an icon for midfielders across the globe with his effortless playing style and graceful artistry on the pitch. It is a fitting end to his illustrious career with Barcelona that he gets the opportunity to sign off with lifting an eighth La Liga trophy, as well as a potential third Spanish Cup and a fourth Champions League winner’s medal around his neck.
As they would say in Catalonia; Gracies Xavi, thanks for the memories.
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