Xavi has revealed he was set to join New York City before Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu called him and convinced him to change his mind
Xavi
Barcelona: Xavi has revealed he was set to join New York City before Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu called him and convinced him to change his mind.
Xavi
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The 34-year-old was on the brink of joining the new MLS franchise during the off season after playing a bit-part role in Tata Martino’s season at the helm of the Blaugrana. However, the World Cup winning midfielder was contacted by the club president, who convinced him to reconsider his decision to leave the club.
“The decision was made. I was going to New York. It was all done. A call from Bartomeu was what changed everything,” Xavi revealed in an interview with Sport. “He called my agent and told him that he wanted me here. Before I went to the World Cup I told them I thought my time at Barcelona was over. I did not feel useful and thought it was not to be.
“After the World Cup I received a call from Bartomeu and then talked to Luis Enrique. He told me I’m going to be a very useful player, that if I prove it, I’ll play, that I’m still competitive and they thought of me well, that we would have a good year.
“He convinced me. It was decisive. I changed. We already had bags packed with my wife to go to New York.”