DOHA • Former Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernandez will retire from football at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades.
The former Barca captain, who made an all-time record of 767 appearances for the Spanish champions while winning 133 caps for Spain, confirmed he would be hanging up his boots in an open letter sent to members of the Spanish media on Thursday.
The statement read: "This is my last season as a player, but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me as a coach.
"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 getting to the next phase of the Asian Champions League."
Revealing that his coaching style would reflect the way he was known for playing the game, he added: "I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, play attacking football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days - possession football."
Xavi made his debut for Barcelona in 1998 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy and soon became the heartbeat of the team's midfield, winning eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015.
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, before eventually retiring from the national team after their early 2014 World Cup exit.
Last month, he helped Al Sadd win the Qatar Stars League, the country's top flight, while the team have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Emir Cup.
His former teammates and clubs also paid tribute after news of his impending retirement broke, with Barcelona hailing him as a "football legend" on their Twitter account.
Andres Iniesta, who combined with Xavi to become one of the game's greatest double acts, called him "the best partner".
The midfielder, who now plays for J-League outfit Vissel Kobe, tweeted: "A privilege to grow and share at your side all my career and the best moments. Thank you for everything you've taught the world of football."
REUTERS
Weary feet to blame for England's fall. England's Kyle Walker scoring an own goal during extra time while under pressure from Dutch striker Quincy Promes during their Nations League semi-final
Boy, 6, reportedly in critical condition after falling 15
LONDON: Liverpool's stunning victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday was made possible by the belief manager Jurgen Klopp's has instilled in his squad, according to Jose Mourinho. Liverpool produced one of the greatest comebacks in the competition's history to beat Barcelona 4-0, overturning a three-goal
Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
Sergio Ramos set Spain on course for a comfortable victory over Sweden in qualifying for Euro 2020. The Real Madrid defender, 33, broke the deadlock at his club's home ground, scoring a second-half penalty for his 20th goal from 165 caps.
Football: Spain in charge of Group F after beating Sweden
Nurmagomedov and McGregor both left the ring before the championship belt could be put around Nurmagomedov's waist, and fans in the pro-Conor crowd threw beers and debris at Nurmagomedov on his way out. White said he feared a melee in an arena if he awarded the belt to Nurmagomedov. "I don't even know what to say right now," White said.
Killua Zoldyck | Hunterpedia | FANDOM powered by Wikia
Fantasy Football Interview; A league winner on a mission… When one focuses on the country of Norway, they immediately may think of the beautiful fjords, or maybe the Midnight Sun, Christmas trees, trolls or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Page 4 - Top 5 footballers of 2018 - sportskeeda.com
Fa
Hard to believe, but Pop was once unwanted by Spurs fans
Get a report of the Burnley vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers 2018/2019 English Premier League football match. boost survival hopes with win over Wolves. with Wolves win (0:57) Burnley snapped a
Burnley boost survival hopes with 2-0 win over Wolves
Manchester United's Class of '92 coach and mentor Eric Harrison passes away in sleep aged 81. It is the first official confirmation of the financial hit United took when they sacked the £346,000
José Mourinho | The Guardian
Dec 22, 2017 · Jurgen Klopp put a productive spin on Liverpool's disappointing day at the "Today we make individual mistakes and that is not cool." That led a dry spell which pushed the side as low
Klopp urges Liverpool to overlook past agony in front of
> Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at City's Raheem Sterling during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester City, at St James' Park, in Newcastle, Britain
Football: Man City title hopes hit by shock defeat at Newcastle
Football: Hougang find inspiration in skipper Zulfahmi Arifin to climb to second in the SPL The Straits Times; Preston North End 3-3 Sheffield Wednesday: Forestieri and Nuhiu salvage draw for Owls BBC
Neil Robertson vs Michael Georgiou: World Snooker
allmysportsnews.com/nba/neil-robertson-vs-michael-georgiou-world-snooker-championship-frame-by-frame-updates/
Football: Hougang find inspiration in skipper Zulfahmi Arifin to climb to second in the SPL » NBA News Kawhi Leonard: Masai Ujiri sends Raptors fans crazy with impassioned 13-word speech
Learn more about Islam at religious outreach centre at
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal The 67-year-old Dutchman also suggested United played more exciting football in his time at the helm than they do now. Van Gaal's claims
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse. Martyn Herman. 4 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leicester City - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 30, 2019 Liverpool
Leaders Liverpool stumble, Chelsea collapse | The Zimbabwe Daily
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Friday Cristiano Ronaldo is an injury doubt for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Ajax on April 10. Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo, a
Football: Ronaldo 'risks missing' Champions League quarter
All eyes will be on whether 2017 Brownlow medallist Dustin Martin can shake off the "massive corkie" he picked up against the Cats, but Richmond coach Damien Hardwick expects his star midfielder to be available to take on the Crows. BARRETT Don't let North test Horse's loyalty, Swans "He (Martin) finished off the game.
CWC'19: Key players to watch out in India-Proteas clash
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league draw live stream total sportek
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch premier league live stream hd
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch premier league matches live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming now
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch live soccer game today
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming philippines
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch coppa america live streaming uk
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch soccer games online free streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch soccer aid live stream
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch soccer live stream links
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch soccer game live espn
watch champions league live streaming live
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch live soccer streaming on android
watch champions league live streaming match
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch coppa america live streaming india vs england
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch champions league final live streaming online
watch coppa america live streaming vivo
how to watch soccer live streaming free
free watch soccer live streaming
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
super soccer tv live streaming indonesia
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch live soccer stream android
watch champions league final live streaming
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch champions league live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch coppa america live streaming australia
watch premier league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming juventus
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch english premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
best site to watch live soccer streaming
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch sky sports premier league live stream
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch epl live streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming usa
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch us soccer live stream
#oasisengland #arsenalnews #realmadridcf #klopp #winner #juventus #meunier #commento #freekicks #portsmouthfc #manchesterunited #visubal #Fcb #elcasico #gunners #goal #serieatim #premierleague #coys #realmadrid #firmino #nikesoccer #salah #girlsniteout #433skills #mancity #alissonbecker #barcelona #freekickerz #copaamerica #comico #valcea #Vip45 #rugby #jadwalbolahariini #ignoranza #championsleague #boxing #cappucino #livesports #footballmeme #watchlive #chocolate #golazo #afcnews #league1 #kroenkeout #myfootballuniverse #GarageCafeDxb #liverpoolfc #leomessi #kickoff #Sunday #realmadrid #mane #adidasslipon #manunited #footballfans #neymar #coutinho #comics #midnight
No comments:
Post a Comment