Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernández discussed his time at the Catalan club and his recent departure after winning the treble. He spoke to Catalan radio station RAC1.
Elections: “I’ll go to vote; I like to participate in everything. It’s a big day for the institution and the club and the more participants, the better. I’ll go with my mother. We both know who we’re going to vote for; I’ve known for a long time, but I won’t reveal my vote because I think that has to be confidential, and more so in my position. I don’t know what will happen because all four have had a great campaign. The debate was very respectful and it was a good image for Barça. Some candidates don’t want to be linked to Qatar and I respect that.”
Leaving Barça. “People have congratulated me. It’s still too soon to be nostalgic but when you see the players start training and you’re not involved it makes you feel a bit sad. I wish them all the best. We had a fantastic time and we’ve got three or four seasons to keep winning. It was a process. In January or February I had an idea. There were other offers but in Qatar they’ve given me the chance to train as a coach or sporting director. It’s also a project for my family, to do with my brothers. In January I wasn’t playing as much as I’d hoped and I was hoping we’d win a trophy.”
Leaving the previous year: “My mother and brothers told me I had to carry on and I couldn’t see it. Now I think they were right. I would’ve jumped the gun; it wasn’t the right time to decide. I could’ve got it wrong and the circumstances meant I stayed for another year.”
Iniesta: “We’ve got a great friendship and he deserves everything. He’s another captain and I didn’t want to be selfish; we had to lift the cup together. I wanted to share it with him.”
Career: “It’s been a fantastic career. My main goal was to play for Barça but it’s gone beyond my wildest dreams and I’m very proud of that. If I started my career again maybe it wouldn’t be as good.”
Casillas: “It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I wrote a letter stating my opinion. He didn’t deserve such a tepid send-off; he deserved more. They held a tribute for him but he looked sad. It makes me feel sad and angry that his farewell was like that. Maybe last year the same would’ve happened to me. I left in the best way possible but Madrid didn’t lift any trophies. Nevertheless, he deserved more.