It was an intense day at FC Barcelona yesterday. With a key decision finally resolved: Xavi Hernández will continue at the head of the Blaugrana bench until 2025 and fulfill his contract. After a day of many meetings, everything was resolved in a final meeting held at President Laporta’s house. The assistants? The highest representative, Xavi Hernández, the sports director Deco, the vice-president Rafael Yuste and Alejandro Echevarría, Laporta’s right-hand man. The trust between the two parties was ratified. Planning for the next season began and some changes were outlined in the physiotherapy department that are part of the restructuring that takes place every year.
Just as he did in 2014 when he was a player, Xavi has changed his mind. He resigned on 27 January after the painful defeat in Montjuïc against Villarreal (3-5). “I consider that it is the best for the club”, he pointed out at the time. Three months later, his Barcelona chained 13 games without losing. And he reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, being one step away from the semi-final. During all this time, the sports dome, the hard core of Laporta, the same one who was at yesterday’s meeting and the same ones who reluctantly accepted his deferred resignation in January, were convincing him. Especially Rafa Yuste. They were not the only ones. The template has also asked for it. Including the youngest, such as Pedri, Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsí.
To stay, Xavi also wanted to make sure that Laporta would offer him a sporting project. Yesterday the president insisted that work is being done to be able to sign normally under the 1-1 rule, that is, to be able to invest the same amount that you get from sales. To begin with, the club believes that it will be able to meet this season’s budget, which was expected to bring in 859 million euros and profits of 11 million. There is also an economic operation pending resolution. After the insolence of the German fund Libero, which did not pay the 40 million in the summer for 10% of Barça Vision, the entity must find this 40 million before June 30. In addition, both this summer and 2025, the club must make two additional payments of 60 million to reach the 120 signed by the total of Barça Vision. Sources at the club acknowledge that they are looking for new allies in Dubai and the United States and, at the same time, LaLiga also believes that Barça will finish the season clean, as the wage bill has also been reduced: from 670 million to 500 million.
The next step is to outline a signing plan together. Last summer Xavi missed strengthening the team with a midfielder after the departure of Busquets. They really liked Zubimendi and Kimmich and landed Oriol Romeu, with a good initial performance but with physical problems that prevented him from settling in the eleven. He also insisted on the signing of Bernardo Silva, with whom he spoke several times. And he dreamed of Messi’s return. After yesterday’s meeting, there is more consensus to work along the same lines.
Before the final meeting that ratified Xavi’s continuity, many things had happened. To begin with, the entire board met at the Spotify Camp Nou offices and visited the stadium works. In this regard, topics such as the subscription model that will be applied at the end of the year when the field opens its doors with 60% of capacity were discussed. The 17,000 subscribers in Montjuïc will have priority. In addition, the status of negotiations with Nike was updated, which currently pays 64 million annually and is evaluating paying more than 100 million annually.
About Xavi, everyone had their say. There was also talk of their coaching staff and even strengthening it. There has never been a complete consensus around its continuity. But the alternative, which was Rafa Márquez, coach of the subsidiary, did not generate enough confidence. In any case, the president had the last word. So, while Laporta closed the meeting, Deco moved forward by meeting with Xavi in ??the sports city for an hour and a half. The tune was good. And they moved the final decision to the president’s house. To celebrate the success and offer an image of unity, Bojan Krkic, adviser Enric Masip and Joan Soler, member of the sports commission, joined the meeting for a Japanese meal.
