Interview with FIFA
Xavi Hernandez: "I enjoy watching Barcelona win"
The coach from Egar agreed to speak with the sports organization and answered a few brief questions about football. Among his answers, he made sure to mention Barça and speak fondly of the club
Xavi Hernández left Barça in a traumatic way. His early resignation, with special permission from Laporta to continue for six months, and his subsequent change of decision was very surprising. The same happened with the president, who was counting on his continuity when the man from Egar announced his departure and ended up choosing to dispense with his services in May, a couple of weeks after reaffirming the union in the 'sushi pact'.
At midday on May 29, a statement appeared on the FC Barcelona website announcing the signing of Hansi Flick as the new Barça coach. Five days after announcing the break with the coach of the moment. However, the Blaugrana legend has always behaved like a gentleman, showing his support for the club and his replacement.
"Messi is still number one for me"
The former midfielder agreed to meet with FIFA. He was asked about various sporting aspects and one of them was very subjective, about who is the footballer he enjoys the most: "Still Leo. Leo Messi. I enjoy watching Barcelona win; I enjoy many footballers in the world. But for me Messi is still the number one in terms of talent." Without having the need, or being asked about it, Xavi paid tribute to Hansi Flick and the club, something that shows the love of the Terrassa native for the Blaugrana colours.
Likewise, when questioned about his career with the Spanish National Team, he also mentioned the Rosario native: "Perhaps the difference between Barça and the national team was Messi. We didn't have Leo in the national team, we didn't have such a differential player, we had to rely more on the team and the whole, but we also achieved success: Euro Cup, World Cup, Euro Cup. And at Barça we also had [a] very good generation that achieved everything," he said.
Xavi's opinion on the new Club World Cup
"I think this competition will be a turning point. Wonderful for any club in the world. People in football will be eager to see it," said the coach about the new format of the Club World Cup. Due to FC Barcelona's recent European performances, the Catalan team has not managed to qualify for this edition of the tournament.
"It gives you the feeling of touching heaven. Of being world champion of clubs. I have had the opportunity to be world champion of both clubs and national teams and you see different styles of play," he explained about what it means to him to win a world tournament. "I have played against teams from Oceania, South America, North America and it is nice," he concluded.
