DOHA • Former Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernandez will retire from football at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades.
The former Barca captain, who made an all-time record of 767 appearances for the Spanish champions while winning 133 caps for Spain, confirmed he would be hanging up his boots in an open letter sent to members of the Spanish media on Thursday.
The statement read: "This is my last season as a player, but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me as a coach.
"It has been a privilege to play football until 39 years of age and now, I would like to finish the season on a high by winning the Emir Cup and getting to the next phase of the Asian Champions League."
Revealing that his coaching style would reflect the way he was known for playing the game, he added: "I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, play attacking football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days - possession football."
Xavi made his debut for Barcelona in 1998 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy and soon became the heartbeat of the team's midfield, winning eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015.
He was one of the key players when Spain won their first and only World Cup in 2010 as well as their European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012, before eventually retiring from the national team after their early 2014 World Cup exit.
Last month, he helped Al Sadd win the Qatar Stars League, the country's top flight, while the team have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Emir Cup.
His former teammates and clubs also paid tribute after news of his impending retirement broke, with Barcelona hailing him as a "football legend" on their Twitter account.
Andres Iniesta, who combined with Xavi to become one of the game's greatest double acts, called him "the best partner".
The midfielder, who now plays for J-League outfit Vissel Kobe, tweeted: "A privilege to grow and share at your side all my career and the best moments. Thank you for everything you've taught the world of football."
REUTERS
Warnock hails Cardiff's response to Sala tragedy Cardiff City supporters display tributes for Argentinian forward Emiliano Sala ahead of the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates
Warnock proud of Cardiff response to Sala tragedy at Arsenal
Football: Liverpool stun Barcelona 4-0 in second leg to reach Champions League final with 4-3 aggregate win Liverpool fans in Singapore and around the world in awe after improbable comeback.
Liverpool News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
Football News. News Players rejected by Jose Mourinho who have gone on to shine and now appears to be on the brink of a big-money move to Mourinho's Manchester United. Extending the list
Griezmann calls time on Atletico stay as move to Barcelona
For more details kindly check website
Singapore starlet Ikhsan Fandi is all set to fulfill his dreams, flying out to Norway for a trial with Raufoss IL, according to The Straits Times. Ikhsan recently stated that his goal for 2019
2019 Garena Young Lions FC season - Wikipedia
PARIS • Paris Saint-Germain may have clinched their long-expected sixth Ligue 1 title in the past seven seasons, but that triumph cannot mask the French club's shortcomings on the European stage where results have failed to match their huge investments.
Title cannot soothe PSG's pain in Europe - theworldnews.net
Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race. A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames, Barca's assistant coach Jon Aspiazu had admitted
Barca give fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao stalemate
Arsenal, who are fifth in the table following a 5-1 defeat by leaders Liverpool on Saturday, host Fulham on Tuesday. Also Read: Arsenal set for third consecutive season without Champions League
Arsenal's Emery fined for kicking bottle at Brighton fan
Firmino missed Liverpool's final three Premier League games of the season with a muscle injury, as well as the club's 4-0 Anfield win over Barcelona which booked their … Continue reading Jurgen Klopp Confirms Roberto Firmino Is Fit for Champions League Final Against Tottenham
Champions League final 2019: Liverpool's Roberto Firmino
A lot of work to do. Defensively, I like that we won the ball higher up the pitch at times. But we still look like we can't keep up with the opposition when we have to defend in our half. And the passing out the back was not very good. Cech is not cut out for this level anymore. And Bellerin continues to look below average.
Arsenal transfer news: 'Gunners, Crystal Palace and Leicester
Predicting award winners is always a fool's errand, but in the case of the 2019 Tony Awards, it feels even more foolish than usual. With few clear frontrunners in the night's biggest races
15 Dutch foods to try in Amsterdam | I amsterdam
AC Milan is just the latest in a long line of European football clubs to be taken over by Chinese investors. Under football fan president Xi Jinping, China has ambitions of hosting the World Cup and the country's top companies and richest entrepreneurs have rushed to pick up stakes in foreign clubs and buy foreign players for huge wages.
Di Maria dramatically better - Blanc | FourFourTwo
The Socceroos continue their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ campaign with a pivotal clash against Palestine on Friday night (AEDT) in Dubai. After the opening game loss against Jordan, Graham Arnold's men will be desperate to bounce back with an improved showing against Palestinians. With one game now
Football: Everton dish out 4-0 thrashing to awful Manchester
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen