TornAndFrayed
Banned
on paper, anyone could be. Like Douglas.
It's not unthinkable in Xavi's case, but I'm pretty sure it won't happen
It's not unthinkable in Xavi's case, but I'm pretty sure it won't happen
- Status
F
Flavia
Guest
Exclusive interview
Xavi on Barça's transfer ban, a need for success in 2015 and Dani Alves
The Barcelona midfielder says the plan is to get to March with options in all three competitions
Xavi Hernandez has spent the majority of his life dressed in blaugrana playing for Barcelona; he has been in the first team squad for 16 years.
Since 1998 until 2014, he has experienced a thousand and one situations. He has become the Spanish player with the most titles; the Barça player with the most appearances; the most capped Spain player...
On January 25th he will turn 35. An age that for many is synonymous with the end of their career, but Xavi has still not called time on his career at the top.
He's enjoying football and wants to continue winning trophies and growing his legend.
You could say 2014 was a difficult year for you as an individual and Barcelona as a collective, no?
Yes. It's not been an easy year, both on a sporting level and a personal one. The only good decision has been to stay here one more year. I'm very happy, but the other things [in 2014] weren't so good. The death of Tito, the club's decision to get rid of Txema Corbella, who's a great friend, winning nothing with Barça or Spain, the disappointment of the World Cup... But also on a personal level I wasn't able to play important games against Atletico Madrid and Chile. From those errors, you learn.
And on top of that, now the CAS have confirmed FIFA's transfer ban and Barça can't sign players...
That decision has hurt everyone. And I was hoping they would be more benevolent.
As a canterano [of Barça] what do you think of the decision?
As a cule I think it is an enormous injustice because there is no other club in the world who take better care of their academy. We are exemplary in that. But this will make us even stronger.
What do you ask for in 2015?
Health and titles. We need them. We cannot have another year without success. It's our main objective. The season has started well, we are working really hard. I'm captain and I have a certain responsibility in that. Above all, though, I wish for titles.
Do you think Barça signed well in the summer?
Yes.
Would you say you have a better team than last year?
Last year didn't go so well for different circumstances. I think we've since signed in both quantity and quality. It's a shame that Vermaelen has had to have an operation, but Rakitic is good player who brings a lot to the team, Mathieu has produced extraordinary performances, the goalkeepers are incredible. The most difficult think was to replace a keeper (Valdes) who had been here so long and had produced the highest levels of performance. It was not easy to replace the best goalkeeper in the history of Barcelona. But they've done it and now there is no debate. Luis Suarez, what can I say about him? And then Douglas, who will have to wait a bit as Luis Enrique said. Zubi's said he's not a player for this season, he has to adapt because he's come from a long way away and it it not easy.
So it's a better team than last year?
It's difficult to make comparisons. Alexis and Cesc were great players and we had Valdes between the posts. Last year didn't go well, though, even though we signed Neymar.
Do you think there will be elections in 2015?
I don't know, but it's clear that machines are now beginning to work. Barça is also political. I suppose we will begin to know soon who the candidates will be.
Are you afraid some of the candidates will use your name?
I'm just a Barcelona player. I'm natural. I can talk without problems with Rosell, Laporta and Bartomeu. I'm inside [the club] and I'm playing, how can they use me?
Maybe by saying you'll be the next manager if they're elected?
But I still have one year more on my contract. I want things to go well for everyone and that's it.
Since the start of the season you've been saying Barça are on the right path. Is that your phrase of the season?
That's because it's how I feel. There is still time to recover the points that we have lost [so far this season]. Don't forget that Madrid have to come to Camp Nou. There are good vibes in the dressing room. We are united. You have to leave us to work and judge us at the end of the season. We could be criticised all season and then win everything. Then what? the problem is that they judge us every day.
The Copa del Rey wouldn't be enough, right?
It felt bad last season to lose the final against Madrid in Valencia. To be honest, it's clear that the order for us is the Champions League, Liga and Copa, but it is still an important title. The Champions League is the big one, though, make no mistake.
How long have you been hearing that Xavi is too old for football, that he should let the next generations come through?
More than four years now. But the truth is I'm OK. Everyone has their opinions, but I feel good. I've been called up for all the games with the exception of the Copa del Rey and I've played in all the big matches with the exception of PSG. I feel useful and important.
Were you surprised when Barça B lost 7-0 the other week?
I couldn't watch the game but it surprised me a lot. I felt bad for the players and for Eusebio. It will serve to improve them, for sure. Adama, Munir, Samper, Ie, Grimaldo, Halilovic... they all play to a great level. I suppose it was just an accident.
What do you think of Abidal's return?
I like that he's coming back. He deserves it. He gives off a great image, it an example to everyone.
Do you have the best attack in history with Neymar, Messi and Suarez?
It's not just those three, though. There is also Pedro who has been scoring goals and even Munir and Sandro. Those three (Ney, Messi, Suarez) are three beast. Neymar's performances recently have been brutal recently; Suarez, as you will see, will go far and Messi has returned to his best.
And the defence?
Bartra, Alba, spectacular. I see 80 or 90 percent of things as positive. But people only highlight the negative and the bad. The only difference with Madrid is that they are a point ahead having played one less game.
Talking of the defence, Pique has improved again after Luis Enrique's treatment earlier this season...
He's a competitive player; very important for us. If he wants he is one of the best centre-backs in the world, which he is demonstrating. He's good with the ball, good in the air... Everyone has ups and downs - who hasn't at some point in their life? But in football, everyone critisices and analyses when players have a tricky moment. But everyone is performing well now. I see it every day. The competition in this team is brutal.
Luis Enrique prefers to call it fierce...
Perfect. It's extraordinary. The veterans have to give more because they don't have a guaranteed place and the youn players also have to perform. Look at Bartra's performance against PSG. It's clear that you have to work hard in training with this team, but the nevel is very high.
Do you prefer to play on the left now so you don't have to cover the space left by Alves?
What!? But if I am on the right I have Busquets and Mascherano that cover the spaces. On the left I have Alba, who also attacks.
But he defends more than Alves...
Ok, Ok... I think that people pick out Alves too much, saying that he's not good. But I see him well. I see a different reality. Sometimes I think I am in the Matrix, honestly. I read that Barça had a bad game against Rayo, but we won 2-0. We had 10 or 12 chances on goal. For that reason I say that there is too much negativity. If we were 15 points behing Madrid I would see the logic; or if we were eliminated from the Champions League or finished second behind PSG, but that is not the case. We are doing well, we are competing. Of the three defeats we have suffered only one was deserved and we almost went 2-0 up in the first half against Madrid. But against Madrid we learned a lesso. It will not happen again. They live for your errors and now how to play on the counter. We've already spoken about it.
What will happen in the next match against Madrid?
We'll compete better, that is for sure. That day was bad because we didn't know how to compete well, above all in the second half. From those errors you learn.
In 2015 the calendar allows you to make a mark early, no?
It's brutal. Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and a possible Copa del Rey quarter final against Atletico or Real Madrid if we beat Elche. We can't mess up because out challenge is to arrive in March alive and with options in all three competitions.
Xavi on Barça's transfer ban, a need for success in 2015 and Dani Alves
The Barcelona midfielder says the plan is to get to March with options in all three competitions
Xavi Hernandez has spent the majority of his life dressed in blaugrana playing for Barcelona; he has been in the first team squad for 16 years.
Since 1998 until 2014, he has experienced a thousand and one situations. He has become the Spanish player with the most titles; the Barça player with the most appearances; the most capped Spain player...
On January 25th he will turn 35. An age that for many is synonymous with the end of their career, but Xavi has still not called time on his career at the top.
He's enjoying football and wants to continue winning trophies and growing his legend.
You could say 2014 was a difficult year for you as an individual and Barcelona as a collective, no?
Yes. It's not been an easy year, both on a sporting level and a personal one. The only good decision has been to stay here one more year. I'm very happy, but the other things [in 2014] weren't so good. The death of Tito, the club's decision to get rid of Txema Corbella, who's a great friend, winning nothing with Barça or Spain, the disappointment of the World Cup... But also on a personal level I wasn't able to play important games against Atletico Madrid and Chile. From those errors, you learn.
And on top of that, now the CAS have confirmed FIFA's transfer ban and Barça can't sign players...
That decision has hurt everyone. And I was hoping they would be more benevolent.
As a canterano [of Barça] what do you think of the decision?
As a cule I think it is an enormous injustice because there is no other club in the world who take better care of their academy. We are exemplary in that. But this will make us even stronger.
What do you ask for in 2015?
Health and titles. We need them. We cannot have another year without success. It's our main objective. The season has started well, we are working really hard. I'm captain and I have a certain responsibility in that. Above all, though, I wish for titles.
Do you think Barça signed well in the summer?
Yes.
Would you say you have a better team than last year?
Last year didn't go so well for different circumstances. I think we've since signed in both quantity and quality. It's a shame that Vermaelen has had to have an operation, but Rakitic is good player who brings a lot to the team, Mathieu has produced extraordinary performances, the goalkeepers are incredible. The most difficult think was to replace a keeper (Valdes) who had been here so long and had produced the highest levels of performance. It was not easy to replace the best goalkeeper in the history of Barcelona. But they've done it and now there is no debate. Luis Suarez, what can I say about him? And then Douglas, who will have to wait a bit as Luis Enrique said. Zubi's said he's not a player for this season, he has to adapt because he's come from a long way away and it it not easy.
So it's a better team than last year?
It's difficult to make comparisons. Alexis and Cesc were great players and we had Valdes between the posts. Last year didn't go well, though, even though we signed Neymar.
Do you think there will be elections in 2015?
I don't know, but it's clear that machines are now beginning to work. Barça is also political. I suppose we will begin to know soon who the candidates will be.
Are you afraid some of the candidates will use your name?
I'm just a Barcelona player. I'm natural. I can talk without problems with Rosell, Laporta and Bartomeu. I'm inside [the club] and I'm playing, how can they use me?
Maybe by saying you'll be the next manager if they're elected?
But I still have one year more on my contract. I want things to go well for everyone and that's it.
Since the start of the season you've been saying Barça are on the right path. Is that your phrase of the season?
That's because it's how I feel. There is still time to recover the points that we have lost [so far this season]. Don't forget that Madrid have to come to Camp Nou. There are good vibes in the dressing room. We are united. You have to leave us to work and judge us at the end of the season. We could be criticised all season and then win everything. Then what? the problem is that they judge us every day.
The Copa del Rey wouldn't be enough, right?
It felt bad last season to lose the final against Madrid in Valencia. To be honest, it's clear that the order for us is the Champions League, Liga and Copa, but it is still an important title. The Champions League is the big one, though, make no mistake.
How long have you been hearing that Xavi is too old for football, that he should let the next generations come through?
More than four years now. But the truth is I'm OK. Everyone has their opinions, but I feel good. I've been called up for all the games with the exception of the Copa del Rey and I've played in all the big matches with the exception of PSG. I feel useful and important.
Were you surprised when Barça B lost 7-0 the other week?
I couldn't watch the game but it surprised me a lot. I felt bad for the players and for Eusebio. It will serve to improve them, for sure. Adama, Munir, Samper, Ie, Grimaldo, Halilovic... they all play to a great level. I suppose it was just an accident.
What do you think of Abidal's return?
I like that he's coming back. He deserves it. He gives off a great image, it an example to everyone.
Do you have the best attack in history with Neymar, Messi and Suarez?
It's not just those three, though. There is also Pedro who has been scoring goals and even Munir and Sandro. Those three (Ney, Messi, Suarez) are three beast. Neymar's performances recently have been brutal recently; Suarez, as you will see, will go far and Messi has returned to his best.
And the defence?
Bartra, Alba, spectacular. I see 80 or 90 percent of things as positive. But people only highlight the negative and the bad. The only difference with Madrid is that they are a point ahead having played one less game.
Talking of the defence, Pique has improved again after Luis Enrique's treatment earlier this season...
He's a competitive player; very important for us. If he wants he is one of the best centre-backs in the world, which he is demonstrating. He's good with the ball, good in the air... Everyone has ups and downs - who hasn't at some point in their life? But in football, everyone critisices and analyses when players have a tricky moment. But everyone is performing well now. I see it every day. The competition in this team is brutal.
Luis Enrique prefers to call it fierce...
Perfect. It's extraordinary. The veterans have to give more because they don't have a guaranteed place and the youn players also have to perform. Look at Bartra's performance against PSG. It's clear that you have to work hard in training with this team, but the nevel is very high.
Do you prefer to play on the left now so you don't have to cover the space left by Alves?
What!? But if I am on the right I have Busquets and Mascherano that cover the spaces. On the left I have Alba, who also attacks.
But he defends more than Alves...
Ok, Ok... I think that people pick out Alves too much, saying that he's not good. But I see him well. I see a different reality. Sometimes I think I am in the Matrix, honestly. I read that Barça had a bad game against Rayo, but we won 2-0. We had 10 or 12 chances on goal. For that reason I say that there is too much negativity. If we were 15 points behing Madrid I would see the logic; or if we were eliminated from the Champions League or finished second behind PSG, but that is not the case. We are doing well, we are competing. Of the three defeats we have suffered only one was deserved and we almost went 2-0 up in the first half against Madrid. But against Madrid we learned a lesso. It will not happen again. They live for your errors and now how to play on the counter. We've already spoken about it.
What will happen in the next match against Madrid?
We'll compete better, that is for sure. That day was bad because we didn't know how to compete well, above all in the second half. From those errors you learn.
In 2015 the calendar allows you to make a mark early, no?
It's brutal. Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and a possible Copa del Rey quarter final against Atletico or Real Madrid if we beat Elche. We can't mess up because out challenge is to arrive in March alive and with options in all three competitions.
I
instinct
Guest
One of the best interviews I've ever read
footyfan
Calma, calma
Finally, from the horse's mouth. The Champions League is objectively the biggest trophy, but I've read otherwise on barcaforums a lot.
Kohe321
New member
I've always felt the CL is the biggest as well, but it's easy to say otherwise once you win the league and get that excitement. Still, the feeling of accomplishment and how rare it is makes the CL bigger and unique though, it's something that puts your club on the map and general conciousness of the entire football world that year. It's bigger, no doubt.
abual3bed1
New member
Barca's 4 CL title were accompanied with domestic league title. And looking at the CL winners in the past 10 years, only 4 times the CL winner wasn't the league winner. Liverpool '05, Milan '07, Chelsea '12 and Madrid '14.
L
linetty
Guest
Xavi is so awesome on and off the pitch. 
Xavi: "My Ballon d'Or votes? Leo, first. Lahm. Mascherano. Cristiano? Didn't do much at World Cup, which counts a lot in a World Cup year."
GOAT
Ini8
¡Gr?*cies Xavi!
You've got a point. It's like your team is the best in Europe, just not in your own country.
Gnidrologist
Senior Member
Yeah, like winning WC is not ''validated'' if you're not the champion of your continent too. :icon_confused:
Ini8
¡Gr?*cies Xavi!
That's right.
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