Barcelona great Xavi reveals the time he will call it quits

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season after 21 years. 

Xavi, who now plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar, holds the all-time appearances record at Barca with 767, and scored 85 goals from 1998 to 2015.

In an open letter on Thursday, the Spaniard said: “It’s been a privilege to play until the age of 39. 

“This 2018/19 season will be my last as a player, but I hope the future offers the chance to be a coach.”

Xavi, who intends to venture into coaching also confirmed his intention to follow in the footsteps of Barcelona great Johan Cruyff, and with the philosophy of La Masia, “which is the foundation of the way FC Barcelona play football.”

“I like to see teams take the initiative on the field,” he continued. “To play attacking football, and to demonstrate the essence of what we all have loved since our infancy: possession-based football.”

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