By Safiu Kehinde
The speculation on Xavi’s possible return to Camp Nou has been affirmed after his current club, Al-Saad gave the green light.
After sacking Ronald Koeman last week, Barcelona prepares to open a new chapter with another former player, Xavi Hernandez. The Spaniard was strongly linked to a return to the LaLiga giant during the summer, but the move did not materialize.
Eventually, the Qatari club, Al-Saad, has finally confirmed the departure of Xavi from the club after coming into an agreement with Barcelona.
Al-Saad CEO, Turki Al-Ali noted that 41-year-old expressed his intention to return to Barcelona few days ago, and the management had to weigh the certainty of the return.
“Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way,” he said.
Having agreed personal terms with his boyhood club, Xavi awaited the response of his current employee who were adamant to let go of him earlier this week.
The wait, however, seems to be over after Al-Saad officially announced in a statement, the return of Xavi to Barcelona.
“The Al Sadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract,” read the post from club CEO Turki Al-Ali.
The CEO further wished Xavi well after spending amazing three seasons with the club he joined in 2019.
“We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al-Sadd’s history and we wish him success,” he said.
Xavi Hernandez is one of the most decorated players at Barcelona. The La Masia graduate was part of the formidable team which has the likes of Andre Iniesta, Lionel Messi, David Villa, and Charles Puyol.
Forming a lethal partnership with fellow midfield maestro, Andres Iniesta, Xavi made 767 appearances in total for the Blaugrana, scoring 85 goals and rendering 184 assists.
Aside being a World Cup winner for Spain in 2010, he won 25 major trophies at Barcelona and earned 133 senior international caps for Spain.
