The 2014/15 campaign was Xavi Hernández’s last as a Barcelona player at Camp Nou.
On 21 May 2015, he announced that his time at Barcelona was at an end.
“It has been a difficult decision to take but a definitive one. I have talked it over at length with my family, my wife, my people – now is the time for me to leave rather than see out the final year of my contract,” Xavi said.
“I need a change of scenery. I have been participating less within the team and I think I need a change. It’s not what my heart is telling me, it is what my body and my mind is telling me. When you are talking about a top class football team, I don’t think I am up to it anymore.
“I have been offered work as part of an attractive project in Qatar, where I will continue playing for Al Sadd for two more years and also collaborate with the Aspire Academy along with my brothers. It is the ideal place for me. I hope I haven’t let anyone down, my plan is to return home one day.”
Xavi played 767 games for Barcelona. On 6 June 2015, he lifted the Champions League trophy in Berlin is his final game for the club.
Six years later, he is set to return to take charge of the club he has “dreamed of coaching”.
