Xavi told Saviola: "If you join Madrid, you'll lose me as a friend"
The FC Barcelona legend tried to get Saviola to turn down the opportunity to play for Real Madrid
Javier Saviola is one of a select group of players to have played for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The former Argentine international told ESPN's 'Frente a Frente' radio what happened when he decided to sign for Barça's arch-rivals - and the message Xavi Hernandez gave him.
"In Barcelona, with how fanatical they were, Xavi told me: 'Mate, don't even think about it, don't you dare do that. If you do, you'll lose me as a friend."
Xavi tired to convince Saviola not to make the switch but the striker's response was simple: "I need to follow my own path."
Saviola crossed paths with Xavi Hernández at FC Barcelona on two occasions: 2001-2004 and 2006-2007. In the second of those spells at the club, under Frank Rijkaard, he found himself playing a bit-part role. As such, he decided to join Real Madrid for two years (2007-2009).
Saviola played 174 matches for Barça and scored 72 goals. At Madrid, he only featured in 31 matches and scored just five goals. Curiously he won two titles with Madrid compared to just one with Barcelona.
