In almost two years on the Barça bench, Xavi has always been punctual in his appearances in the press room before matches. To talk about Barcelona-Celta this Saturday, his appearance was scheduled for 1:00 p.m. but, however, he did not sit in front of the microphone until 1:22 p.m. A suspicious delay when, in addition, it was known that president Joan Laporta had arrived shortly before at the Joan Gamper sports city. However, the coach did not want to say when his renewal will be confirmed. “The renovation has been done for days. We came to an agreement. It will be announced soon, I don't know when. “I already said it was 10,” he confirmed the agreement.
As the Mercè festivities were about to begin in Barcelona, the coach even joked about starting the festivities with the signing of his new contract. “The truth is that I can think of few better plans but let's see if they give me an appointment,” he said in reference to President Laporta's agenda. “If there is something, we will announce it,” he reassured.
Xavi, whose contract ends in June 2024, will renew for one more season, with the option of another. The only thing missing is the official statement. That means that he will have a minimum of four years insured. But he doesn't even want to think long term. Can you imagine 15 years at Barça? I see it complicated. Barça's demands are terrible. There are times when I haven't had a good time and others when I have enjoyed it. It's a roller coaster. “I am happy and I feel that the club trusts me, but 15 years is going to be a very difficult task,” he said, with a smile.
What Xavi cannot hide is his satisfaction with his team's good moment, after two consecutive 5-0, and the change he found in November 2021. “I think we arrived at a very difficult moment, with circumstances sporting and economic adverse events. When we remember it we realize what we have achieved. On the staff we have given our all. It has been a process of construction and training. This season has to be one of confirmation, of results and play. I feel with the confidence of the president. I feel strong. The players have a good time and come to training to enjoy themselves. We are in good shape, but we cannot help but be humble,” he recalled.
Reviewing his career on the Barcelona bench, exactly 96 games, he chose his happiest moment. “When we really believed that we could compete was in the Spanish Super Cup. It was a turning point. We beat a great team like Real Madrid by playing very good football. We gained credibility in the environment and the players believed it,” he reasoned.
After the defeats against Betis and Antwerp, Xavi recognizes the leap in quality of the team, both in the talent of the players and in the interpretation of the game that he asks of them, but he does not want to talk about titles. “We have had two extraordinary games but I am not going to win anything by saying that it is going to be a great season. We have to compete against Celta, Mallorca, Sevilla, Porto...”, he listed the next rivals. And nor intend to send a message to Madrid. “I have respect for everyone, even those who expected this to go badly. We have only won one League and one Super Cup. It is very difficult for us to win titles in a country with Real Madrid and Atlético.”
The big news for the match against Celta is the return of Ronald Araújo, who was injured in mid-August and has missed five games. Xavi announced rotations, at least two. And he soon considers talking about buying João Félix, author of three goals and an assist in his two games as a starter. “We saw an excellent João Félix. We are delighted. He has always had the talent. He is extremely happy. I hope it continues in this line. But there are nine months until June.”
