Xavi Bids Farewell to Barca Ahead of Move to Al Sadd

Doha, May 21 (QNA) - Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez has announced he is leaving the Catalan giants to put an end on his 17-year glittering tenure with the club before completing a move to Al Sadd. "The decision is definitive yet difficult. I think now is the time to leave, that's the way I feel," The 35-year-old midfielder said Thursday in a press conference. "It was the right decision to stay this year. I still feel important to the team, but I think it's time. I need a change of scenery. I signed a contract with Al-Sadd for two seasons and I have a very exciting project at the Aspire Academy. It's the ideal place to continue training." The veteran midfielder said Barcelona offered him the chance to extend his stay until 2018 but said he had already made up his mind. "I don't want to neglect the fans, because they've been spectacular with me. I hope I don't disappoint anyone. It's time to move on. My main goal is to return to Barca in the future." "It is my head and my body telling me. The heart is more difficult because I am a big Barca fan," Xavi said. He came close to leaving Barcelona at the start of the season before making a U-turn after talks with coach Luis Enrique and he said it would have been "a little too early" as he eventually had a whole year to think and make a decision. "I have spoken a lot about football to Luis Enrique. At the start of the season I told him I was leaving and he asked me to stay. He has been really honest with me and he has been up front and I have to thank him for that." Xavi can end his career at Barcelona in a great fashion as the clubs have a chance to seal a treble having already secured La Liga title thanks to a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the weekend. They can add the Copa del Rey title should they beat Athletic Bilbao on May 30 as well as the Champions League with a win over Juventus one week later. "We're favorites in both finals and it won't be easy. Athletic and Juve will be tough opponents." Xavi has won 23 trophies in total at Barcelona, including eight La Liga titles and three Champions League victories. "The final script is spectacular. We've won a league, and I'm very excited to hoist it for the last time in front of the fans on Saturday. I hope to enjoy every minute," Xavi said. (QNA)