Xavi: Fulfilled my dreams with Barca; hope to win titles at Al-Sadd
Xavi: Fulfilled my dreams with Barca; hope to win titles at Al-Sadd
28 Jul 2015
Al-Sadd is getting a new leader. He is one of the legends of FC Barcelona, a star member of a generation that gave unprecedented success to the club in the last decade and one of the best midfielders in the history of the game. He is none other than Xavi Hernandez.
After leading Barcelona and the Spanish national team to multiple trophies, Xavi has become an icon of Spanish sport. And now, he is beginning a new chapter in his story. The official website of Al-Sadd caught up with the legend during the preseason training camp in Kaprun and he chatted openly on a variety of topics.
Xavi started by talking of his delight in the way things have started at Kaprun. “I feel really great to be here,” he said. “The team here is like a family, a group constantly trying for success and this makes me fit in faster and aim for the same goal as everyone else – winning trophies. I know Al-Sadd are a team with a history of trophies, both domestic and continental.”
As for the camp itself, Xavi expressed his satisfaction with the location and the capabilities of the Kaprun base. “The facilities are top-notch. The coaching staff, led by head coach Amouta, are doing a great job in getting us ready for the start of the new season and they are fully supported by the management. There is a professional way of dealing with things; I feel Al-Sadd matches European teams in terms of professionalism.”
Xavi then alluded to his previous experience with Al-Sadd, having played against them at the 2011 Club World Cup. “I remember how they won the Asian title and then followed it with the bronze medal at the Club World Cup. Recently, I have watched some of their games and have come to know the players more – especially Khalfan, Talal al Baloushi and the keeper Saad al-Sheeb. Also, I know the foreign players – Muriqui the Brazilian; Nadir Belhadj, who played in Europe earlier and the Korean defender Lee Jung Soo who has represented his country at the World Cup.”
After spending three days with the team, Xavi feels that the level of the team is impressive, especially that of certain players who caught his eye. “I was quite impressed by the level of Hassan al Haydos who is one of the finest, with his ability to move fast, think unlike the others and help the team all over the pitch. In addition to him, there are many others like the captain Talal, whose one-touch play is at a terrific pace and then Ali Asad, who is great at penetrating defences; all of them will be of great aid to the Al-Sadd cause next season.”
Asked about what he knew about the country, Xavi said that fellow countryman Raul Gonzalez had only good things to say after his stint at Al-Sadd. “Raul told me about how peaceful Qatar is and how hospitable the people there are. I witnessed this personally when I went there. Everyone treated me and my family excellently and I hope I can learn more about Qatari culture.”
Xavi also talked of his role with the Aspire Academy and the 2022 World Cup, saying: “My experience as a player with Barcelona will help me to do my job well at the Aspire Academy, a job which has been described to me by Raul. I think the 2022 World Cup, being the first in the Middle East, is an opportunity for Qatar to show how much it has developed and after my experience with the people there, I am ready to do anything in service of sport in the country, and not just Al-Sadd.”
Xavi then reminisced about his time at Barcelona: “It was a dream to play for Barcelona and I fulfilled that dream. I won everything I wanted to win and I am proud of what I gave to the team and to the fans who stood by me and the team for so long. The club is bigger than any player, a player leaves and a better one comes – this is the secret of its success.”
His best moment, he says, was winning the treble and the memorable farewell he received from the fans. The worst? The 2002-2004 period when Barca struggled and went through a lean phase.
As for his international career, Xavi said that he had experienced a great one, with Spain winning four titles. It was capped by the World Cup triumph in 2010. Asked about the group stage exit last year, Xavi had this to say: “We hit a block in 2014. But this is how football goes. Spain is capable of reviving itself, despite being handed a tough draw for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.”
Pep Guardiola was an influential person in his career and Xavi feels that he will return to Barca one day. “I enjoyed a successful period with Pep at Barca and I know he will choose the right time to return to Barcelona.”
The legend then mentioned his admiration for many of his peers, who he wishes he had played alongside, including Zinedine Zidane, Raul, Iker Casillas and Santi Cazorla.
Xavi also commented on many other topics, such as the Casillas saga: “He is my friend and one of the giants of the game; I am disappointed at the way he left Real. He deserves much better.” He also weighed in on the Messi/Ronaldo debate. Although he considers Ronaldo a great player, he says Messi is the greatest in the history of the game.
