“It is the most difficult club in the world,” Xavi Hernández has said to the point of exhaustion about Barcelona’s demands. “You cannot compare the pressure in England with that in Spain. And what you feel at Barça is incomparable to that of any other club,” Pep Guardiola supported him yesterday. They know what they are talking about. They were both youth players, players, captains and later coaches of the team of their lives. Both resigned from continuing on the bench. Guardiola did it in 2012 and has now been at City for eight years. Xavi said enough on Saturday after losing 3-5 to Villarreal. He will leave on June 30. “I had the feeling from the beginning of the season.”
Sometimes memes serve to explain the reality of that exhausting work. Guardiola lost his hair and started shaving himself. Luis Enrique’s roof was painted gray. Xavi continues to comb his hair with gel after more than two years in office but the enthusiasm has gone. He is no longer compensated for all the sacrifices, especially family ones.
“They make you feel worthless every day. Speaking with Pep he warned me, Valverde told me and with Luis Enrique I experienced it and saw him suffer. That’s not quality of life. Here it seems like you are risking your life at every moment. That’s why I say it’s cruel: it’s not enjoyable,” he defined that permanent scrutiny. The Terrassa coach wanted to warn the next tenant that he will also suffer this constant erosion of his morale due to the environment. “It’s going to happen to him and that’s the problem. My advice? Let him be him and don’t let himself be influenced. My advice is to enjoy it but that is impossible here.”
Xavi assured that he always felt the support of Laporta and the club, that the players trust him and that the fans love him. On the other hand, he seemed bitter towards the media, which in his opinion did not value him. “When I say that we are under construction you kill me, if I say that we do not have the Barça of 2010 there is also criticism. I have the feeling that whatever I do and whatever I say is never enough. Neither winning the League with 14 points nor the Super Cup with a historic match, nor with a crop of good young people, nor being from the house. That’s why I left,” he reproached.
On the other hand, he was understanding with Rafa Márquez, the reserve team’s coach, who applied. “He is a friend. Maybe he expressed himself wrong. He is getting ready. He is lawful and natural.”
Four days later, Xavi returns to Montjuïc to make up the postponed match against Osasuna for the Super Cup. Then, 20 days ago, Barça aspired to four titles and no one saw Xavi’s goodbye coming. “The four remaining months have to be the best,” he harangued the squad.
The Egarense has had a bad time but leaves the door open for a return. “I don’t rule it out at all. I am a club man and Barça will have me for whatever they need. Now I think he doesn’t need me. Barcelona fans require a new hope next season,” he insisted. Xavi’s was sold out.