Barca legend Xavi Hernandez announces his retirement
The former Barca captain will leave Al Sadd at the end of the season and begin as a coach
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has announced he will end his 21 year career as a footballer. With a huge trophy collection and unique way of understanding football, his departure is the loss of one of game’s greats on the pitch.
Through a statement issued to Doha media, Xavi told the story of Umesh Rathod, a young 15 year old player he met in Mumbai who uses football as an escape from his complicated life.
Through the story, Xavi related to his passion for football and confirmed he will hang his boots up at the end of this season.
“In Umesh I saw the happiness that football produces, that took me back in time, to the sensation of wanting to succeed. Over the next four weeks I will lace up my boots to play the final games of an unforgettable career.”
Xavi’s retirement is not a definitive goodbye to football. The maestro will become a coach.
“It’s my last season asa player but I want to see what the future holds for me as a coach,” he added.
But for now he’s focused on the final weeks of the season with Al Sadd.
“I’d like to finish the season at the top, winning the Amir Cup and reaching the next phase of the Asian Champions League,” said Xavi.
