• News

Xavi tipped to make Barcelona return at some point

Xavi
Getty Images
Advertisement

Former Barca star Javier Saviola is convinced that Xavi Hernandez will at one point return to the Camp Nou as a manager.

Xavi is a ‘true’ Barcelona player and has the right DNA to manage the club on the sidelines, claims Saviola.

Not many boast as much respect and accolades as the Spanish midfielder did during his 17-year stint at the club.

Xavi made 767 first-team appearances for the Catalan giants between 1998 and 2015, alongside winning 133 caps for the Spanish national team.

He won eight La Liga titles alongside three Copa del Rey crowns and four Champions League trophies in his total of 25 titles with the club.

Alongside Diego Maradona, Xavi was named in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team on Monday afternoon and Saviola took to praise his former teammate while predicting a potential return to familiar territory.

“Today is a day of celebration for the Spanish football,” Saviola told Radio MARCA.

“I have not only admired [Xavi] as a football player but also as a friend. What stands out the most is his game vision.

“It seemed that he had a mirror behind him, he always controlled everything that was around him. I think Xavi will end up coaching Barcelona, he has their DNA.

“He is coaching to gain experience and preparing to get to that bench. He will surely choose when and how he returns to Barcelona.”

Xavi is the current manager at Qatari based club Al Sadd and has on multiple occasions been linked with the manager role at Barcelona.

Though the 40-year-old has dismissed such claims in recent time, it’s easy to see why he remains a potential strong candidate to lead Barca in the nearest future.

x