<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../barcelona-legend-xavi-hernandez-to-retire-at- end-of-season-215588">Xavi</a>, Barca's all-time leading appearance maker who lifted 25 trophies in a 17-year career with the club, has been linked with a return to the Catalans since they were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid to exit the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spanish-super-cup-atletico-madrid-beat-fc-barcelona-exciting-game-play-ends-with-nail-biting-finish-273311">Spanish Super Cup: Atletico Madrid's Correa late strike topples Messi's Barcelona</a>

That loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at struggling Espanyol, has heaped pressure on coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../spanish-super-cups-format-relocation-to-saudi- arabia-due-to-footballs-desire-for-money-says-valverde-273188">Ernesto Valverde</a> even though his side lead La Liga and are into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Xavi confirmed media reports that he had spoken to Barca's sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau over the weekend. He did not give details of the meeting but acknowledged that he would love to take charge of his former side one day.

"I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many things. Sorry I cannot give any more information," Xavi told a news conference after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince's Cup.

"I cannot hide it's my dream to coach <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../we-certainly-know-the-city-better-now- barcelona-team-bus-lost-in-saudi-arabia-273092">Barcelona</a>, I've said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart.

"But I'm doing my job here, I'm doing my best. I was focused on the semi-final and now I'm focusing on the final."

Representatives at Barcelona could not immediately be reached for comment.

Before the semi-final against Al Rayyan, Al Sadd's sporting director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi said Xavi had been negotiating a move to Barca.

"There are negotiations between Xavi and Barcelona now and we wish him success wherever he decides to go," he told Qatari network Al Kass.

On Friday, Al Sadd's general manager Turki Al-Ali said the club knew Xavi would eventually return to Barca but urged the Spanish side to negotiate with them directly.

"The issue of Xavi going to Barcelona is normal and expected because he will be at his club and it's his first home and he must return there in the future, but as of today, Xavi is the coach of Al Sadd," he said.

"We know that a club with the size and professionalism of Barcelona will take to official channels to speak of such matters."

Xavi, Barca's all-time leading appearance maker who lifted 25 trophies in a 17-year career with the club, has been linked with a return to the Catalans since they were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid to exit the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday.

Xavi, Barca's all-time leading appearance maker who lifted 25 trophies in a 17-year career with the club, has been linked with a return to the Catalans since they were beaten 3-2 by Atletico Madrid to exit the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday. Also read: Spanish Super Cup: Atletico Madrid's Correa late strike topples Messi's Barcelona That loss, which came after a surprise 2-2 league draw at struggling Espanyol, has heaped pressure on coach Ernesto Valverde even though his side lead La Liga and are into the last 16 of the Champions League. Xavi confirmed media reports that he had spoken to Barca's sporting director Eric Abidal and chief executive Oscar Grau over the weekend. He did not give details of the meeting but acknowledged that he would love to take charge of his former side one day. "I cannot say anything, they were here to talk to me and we discussed many things. Sorry I cannot give any more information," Xavi told a news conference after his side beat Al Rayyan on Saturday to reach the final of the Prince's Cup. "I cannot hide it's my dream to coach Barcelona, I've said it many times in many interviews, everyone knows I support Barcelona from the bottom of my heart. "But I'm doing my job here, I'm doing my best. I was focused on the semi-final and now I'm focusing on the final." Representatives at Barcelona could not immediately be reached for comment. Before the semi-final against Al Rayyan, Al Sadd's sporting director Muhammad Ghulam Al Balushi said Xavi had been negotiating a move to Barca. "There are negotiations between Xavi and Barcelona now and we wish him success wherever he decides to go," he told Qatari network Al Kass. On Friday, Al Sadd's general manager Turki Al-Ali said the club knew Xavi would eventually return to Barca but urged the Spanish side to negotiate with them directly. "The issue of Xavi going to Barcelona is normal and expected because he will be at his club and it's his first home and he must return there in the future, but as of today, Xavi is the coach of Al Sadd," he said. "We know that a club with the size and professionalism of Barcelona will take to official channels to speak of such matters."

Xavi says would be 'dream' to coach Barca as pressure mounts on Valverde

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has been named as the new manager of Al Sadd on a two-year deal, the Qatar Stars League champions announced on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Xavi, 39, made a record 767 appearances for Barca and 133 for Spain in his illustrious playing career before moving to the Qatari club in 2015 ahead of his transition into coaching.&nbsp;

He replaces Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira, who left Al Sadd after leading them to a 14th league title.&nbsp;

Coming through Barcelona's academy in 1998, Xavi soon became the heartbeat of the team's midfield, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Al Sadd.&nbsp;

Al Sadd confirmed Xavi will take charge of the pre-season training camp in Girona from July 14-29.&nbsp;

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has been named as the new manager of Al Sadd on a two-year deal, the Qatar Stars League champions announced on Tuesday.

Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has been named as the new manager of Al Sadd on a two-year deal, the Qatar Stars League champions announced on Tuesday. Xavi, 39, made a record 767 appearances for Barca and 133 for Spain in his illustrious playing career before moving to the Qatari club in 2015 ahead of his transition into coaching. He replaces Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira, who left Al Sadd after leading them to a 14th league title. Coming through Barcelona's academy in 1998, Xavi soon became the heartbeat of the team's midfield, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Al Sadd. Al Sadd confirmed Xavi will take charge of the pre-season training camp in Girona from July 14-29.

Xavi Hernandez begins managerial career with Al Sadd

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez will retire at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades.

Xavi, who has made a record 767 appearances for Barca and 133 for Spain, confirmed his retirement plans in an open letter sent to members of the Spanish media on Thursday.

"This is my last season as a player but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me as a coach," wrote Xavi, who has been playing for Qatari side Al Sadd since leaving Barca in 2015.

"It has been a privilege to play football until 39 years of age and now I would like to finish the season on a high by winning the Emir Cup and by getting to the next phase of the Asian Champions League", said Xavi.

Xavi made his debut for Barca in 1998 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy and soon became the heartbeat of the team`s midfield, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Al Sadd.

He was one of the key players when Spain won their first and only World Cup in 2010 as well as their European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012, eventually retiring from the national team after a disappointing 2014 World Cup.

Last month he helped Al Sadd win the Qatar Stars League, the country`s top flight division, and has reached the quarter-finals of the Emir Cup with the team. 
&nbsp;

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez will retire at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades.

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez will retire at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades. Xavi, who has made a record 767 appearances for Barca and 133 for Spain, confirmed his retirement plans in an open letter sent to members of the Spanish media on Thursday. "This is my last season as a player but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me as a coach," wrote Xavi, who has been playing for Qatari side Al Sadd since leaving Barca in 2015. "It has been a privilege to play football until 39 years of age and now I would like to finish the season on a high by winning the Emir Cup and by getting to the next phase of the Asian Champions League", said Xavi. Xavi made his debut for Barca in 1998 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy and soon became the heartbeat of the team`s midfield, winning eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Al Sadd. He was one of the key players when Spain won their first and only World Cup in 2010 as well as their European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012, eventually retiring from the national team after a disappointing 2014 World Cup. Last month he helped Al Sadd win the Qatar Stars League, the country`s top flight division, and has reached the quarter-finals of the Emir Cup with the team.

Spain legend Xavi Hernandez to retire at end of season

Former Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez says FIFA should abandon a proposal to increase the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 from 32.

The World Cup will feature 48 teams for the 2026 edition, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week increasing the number of teams for the 2022 tournament was "feasible".

Former Barcelona great Xavi, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and is seeing out his career in Qatar with top-flight club Al Sadd, said 48 teams would not be the right option for 2022, however.

"It's too much and too long. Imagine 48 teams in Qatar, it will not be good in my opinion," he told reporters on Monday.

"It's still for the organisers to decide, but for now Qatar is doing everything to prepare for 32 teams and it will be difficult to change it for more teams. Also, it's good for football to have 32. That's more than enough."

Should FIFA and Qatari organisers agree on a proposal to increase the number of teams, it would be put to a vote at the FIFA Congress in Paris on June 5.

Xavi, who was in Mumbai for a promotional event for Generation Amazing, a legacy programme initiated by Qatar 2022 organisers, also expected Qatar to acquit themselves well on the field at the tournament.

The tiny Gulf state stunned four-times champions Japan to win this year's Asian Cup and Xavi was not surprised by their breakthrough success.

"I thought the football there was the worst when I first went there," the 39-year-old said. "But they've improved a lot and very quickly since then, everybody saw it at the Asian Cup."

Former Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez says FIFA should abandon a proposal to increase the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 from 32. The World Cup will feature 48 teams for the 2026 edition, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week increasing the number of teams for the 2022 tournament was "feasible".

Former Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez says FIFA should abandon a proposal to increase the number of teams at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 from 32. The World Cup will feature 48 teams for the 2026 edition, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino said last week increasing the number of teams for the 2022 tournament was "feasible". Former Barcelona great Xavi, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and is seeing out his career in Qatar with top-flight club Al Sadd, said 48 teams would not be the right option for 2022, however. "It's too much and too long. Imagine 48 teams in Qatar, it will not be good in my opinion," he told reporters on Monday. "It's still for the organisers to decide, but for now Qatar is doing everything to prepare for 32 teams and it will be difficult to change it for more teams. Also, it's good for football to have 32. That's more than enough." Should FIFA and Qatari organisers agree on a proposal to increase the number of teams, it would be put to a vote at the FIFA Congress in Paris on June 5. Xavi, who was in Mumbai for a promotional event for Generation Amazing, a legacy programme initiated by Qatar 2022 organisers, also expected Qatar to acquit themselves well on the field at the tournament. The tiny Gulf state stunned four-times champions Japan to win this year's Asian Cup and Xavi was not surprised by their breakthrough success. "I thought the football there was the worst when I first went there," the 39-year-old said. "But they've improved a lot and very quickly since then, everybody saw it at the Asian Cup."

Xavi Hernandez says 48-team Qatar World Cup would be too long

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Xavi says would be 'dream' to coach Barca as pressure mounts on Valverde

Xavi Hernandez begins managerial career with Al Sadd

Spain legend Xavi Hernandez to retire at end of season

Xavi Hernandez says 48-team Qatar World Cup would be too long