"Barcelona" defender Xavi Hernandez finally broke the silence and officially confirmed that he will continue to represent the Catalan club. However, the footballer announced the end of his career in the Spanish national team.
Since the end of last season, various Spanish sports newspapers have been silent about rumors that the 34-year-old footballer may leave the 'Barcelona' club, where he has been playing in the main team since 1998.
It was reported that appealing financial contracts were offered to the Catalan by several Qatari teams and the daughter team 'New York City' starting its operations in the United States. The latter has already attracted veterans David Villa and Frank Lampard to its ranks.
However, in mid-July there were news that Xavi decided to continue staying at 'Barca', but journalists only learned about the official confirmation of such a decision during the press conference held on Tuesday.
"The past season indeed ended in a very unsuccessful way. It was unpleasant when I had to sit on the bench as a substitute in both the club and the national team. I didn't feel useful, so I thought about leaving the team and starting something new," Xavi said.
However, the footballer immediately admitted that the decision to leave 'Barca' was made too spontaneously and thoughtlessly.
"Later I realized that I rushed. After talks with Andoni Zubizarreta and Luis Enrique, I finally understood that I was mistaken, so I changed my mind. I remain at 'Barca'. My choice was especially influenced by the conversations with the head coach. We talked maybe three or four times, but that was enough for me to understand what was expected of me. We started from scratch. We talked as if I wasn't an old-timer in the team. Eventually, we both realized that we were talking about the same thing. I understand that I can still be useful to the team, and that is the main reason why I decided to stay," the defender explained.
The player also denied rumors that he was planning to leave 'Barca' for economic reasons: "That is absolutely untrue. My decision was not influenced by any economic factors. Everything is related only to football. My closest people already knew beforehand about my decision to stay and they were happy about it. Especially my mother. They are all die-hard 'Barcelona' fans."
"I know I'm not twenty years old anymore, but I have motivation as if I were a child. I have a contract with 'Barcelona' for another two years, and that's all there is to it. Sitting on the bench as a substitute is probably an experience I consider useful. Such things will help me accept possible similar decisions of the coach in the future more easily. Luis Enrique didn't hide anything and spoke openly. I'm here to help the team in every possible way," the Catalan emphasized.
The footballer also announced the end of his career in the Spanish national team.
"I say goodbye to the national team forever and will no longer play for it. Now I want to focus all my attention on playing for 'Barca'. I thank everyone I had the opportunity to play with in the Spanish national team. It was truly a great time," said the footballer.
Xavi, who made his debut in the Spanish national team in 2000, won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics, and later became one of the team's key players. In 2008, he became European champion with 'Furia Roja' and was recognized as the best player of the tournament, triumphed in the World Cup in 2010, and two years later defended the title of the winners of the Old Continent with the Spanish national team.
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