What a career Xavi has enjoyed
Barcelona legend Xavi has announced his retirement at the end of the season while also confirming his plans to go into coaching.
Xavi has been a household name in football for some time now.
Graduating through Barcelona’s famous academy La Masia, Xavi scored 85 goals and assist 182 in 769 appearances for the club.
During that time, the midfielder won several major honours including four Champions League trophies and eight La Liga trophies.
Xavi also triumphed on the international stage with Spain, winning the European Championships twice and a World Cup in 2010.
Back in 2015, Xavi decided to take a new path, joining Qatari club Al Sadd SC.
Now, after making 84 appearances for the club, Xavi has announced he will hang his boots up for good when the current campaign finishes.
UNSPECIFIED – JULY 12: (L-R) Sergio Ramos, Xavi Hernandez, Pedro Rodriguez, Carles Puyol, Fernando Llorente and Fernando Torres celebrate with the World Cup trophy during the Spanish team’s flight home on board a plane from Johannesburg to Madrid following their victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup on July 12, 2010 in flight, Unspecified. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
The next chapter in Xavi’s footballing career
In a statement released to AS, Xavi revealed his decision to end his 21-year career.
While claiming it has been a privilege to play football for so long, his most interesting comments came in the form of what he wants to do next.
Xavi has claimed he’s looking forward to ‘seeing what the future holds for me as a coach.’
“My philosophy as a coach reflects the style we developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and La Masia, and that has its greatest exponent in the way of playing football in Barcelona,” Xavi explained.
“I love seeing the teams take the initiative on the field, play attacking football and return to the essence of what we all loved since our childhood days: football possession.”
Safe to say, if he can get his teams playing like the Barcelona side he played in, the sky is the limit.