Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi reveals he had to leave club

Xavi admits it was clear to him that he had to leave Barcelona but is happy that he stayed on for an extra year at the club.

The midfielder brought an end to his 24-year spell at the club this sumer, which started in the famous youth academy when he was just 11, to sign for Al Sadd in Qatar.

The 35-year-old says he is happy he waited another year to win the treble with Luis Enrique's side before leaving, but maintains the time was right to wave goodbye to leave.

"Imagine leaving Barcelona last year, without this euphoria and without titles," he told the club's official website. "Here, when they don't win anything, they think that about 10 players should be sold, everyone is angry. Imagine making a farewell with angry people.

"Now people are euphoric. I'm happy I had stayed on for another year, that former sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta, Luis Enrique and president Josep Maria Bartomeu convinced me to stay.

"It was clear that I had to leave and I am very fit, but in two or three meetings, they convinced me to stay. I'm happy."

Xavi is the club record holder in terms of appearances and trophies won, but he feels Andres Iniesta and Lionel Messi will end up taking that title from him soon.

"I know that eventually someone will surpass me, maybe Andres and Leo. I'll be surpassed next year."

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