Xavi Hernandez has played more than 750 games for his club, more than any player in Barcelona history. He is the greatest footballer to come out of Spain, with 133 Spain appearances and every medal in football. He also is 35 and unlikely to be at Camp Nou next season.
His peerless vision is still there, the type about which teammate Dani Alves said: “We all live in the present but Xavi actually lives in the future. That’s how he sees things the way he does. I’ve always believed that football is for the little smart guys like me and Pedro, Xavi and Iniesta.”
Xavi’s problem is that Father Time is catching up with his body and fans are talking about a future without a man who many see as a future Barcelona manager.
The signs were there at the start of this season when a journalist close to Xavi reported a conversation the player had with Luis Enrique, in which the Barca coach said: “You are welcome to be part of this. I see your importance, but if you stay then don’t complain to me if you’re not playing as much as you’d like to.”
Though he is on target to play more than 35 games for his club this season, Xavi has become more of a peripheral figure. He has a contract worth €9.6 million a year through 2015/16 and will play more football if he moves.
Xavi was in Qatar at the weekend and toured the facilities at Al Sadd club, where he is expected to play. He also is interested in playing in the United States or China. Best offer wins.
“I’ll play until the legs tell me to stop, but my game does not depend on speed like others,” he said.
Xavi, the consummate professional and one of football’s great thinkers off the field, is still good enough to stand out in a lesser league and would depart with Barca’s blessing.
“Xavi has earned the right to decide his future,” club president Josep Maria Bartomeu said.
He has been at Barca since he was 11, longer than any other player at the club. He will have a great send-off when he departs.
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