Xavi Hernandez, a legendary Barcelona player, has finally retired from football after 21 years on the field.
The Spanish man, playing for Al Sadd in Qatar, disclosed this in a letter on Thursday, where he revealed that he is starting his coaching career.
He wrote:
“It has been a privilege to play football up to age 39 and I would like to finish out the season on the top by winning the Amir Cup and reaching the next stage of the Asian Champions League.
“This is my last season as a player, but I really want to see what the future holds for me as a manager.”
Speaking further on his planned style of coaching, Xavi said:
“I love to see teams that take the lead on the pitch, that attacking football and that return to the essence that we all know from the days of our youth, possession of the ball.”
“It has been a privilege to accomplish what I have done over the past two decades. And that is why I feel that it is my duty to begin an initiative on the field and give back to football as long as I am able.”