The Barça president says the sporting aspect has not been forgotten
He thinks the problem is finding players good enough to replace Xavi, Iniesta and Messi
Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FC Barcelona, has refuted the criticism from Xavi where the ex-Barça captain lamented the fact that not enough players are reaching the first team and that the sporting aspect “has gone to sleep”.
In an interview with the New York Times, Bartomeu responded by saying, “No, no. The problem is Xavi, and Iniesta, and Leo Messi, and those players. It is very difficult to be a player, and when you have in front of you Leo Messi, or you have Neymar, or Xavi, Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets or [Gerard] Piqué. It is very difficult to be there”.
In the specific case of the centre midfielder, Bartomeu said “Xavi was in the first team for 15 years. Those 15 years mean that 15 boys that played in his position had to leave the club. Iniesta, now, I think it is 16 or 17 years. It is very difficult. Or Leo Messi? Who is going to be the new Messi? Well, probably, other players will be Messi, but they have to leave our club because it is impossible. Xavi said “go slowly,” but the problem is Xavi! He created the problem. And Iniesta and Piqué. They created the problem”.
