Barcelona midfielder Xavi has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season to join Qatari side Al Sadd on an initial two-year deal.
"I think this is the time to leave, that is what I feel, this is time to leave," he said during a press conference. "I am not playing as many minutes and feel it is time for a change of air."
The diminutive playmaker has played an integral role at Camp Nou for over a decade since making his debut in 1998, featuring in over 700 matches and lifting 23 trophies with the Catalan giant.
Xavi's performances defined a generation at Barca - his calm, controlled play in the middle of the pitch crucial as the club enjoyed a period of great success under Pep Guardiola.
Now 35, Xavi's role has become that of a squad player rather than a regular first-team starter and he has opted to end his association with Barca on a high after claiming an eighth Liga title last weekend.
" It has been a very difficult decision," he said. "I was offered another option (until 2018) but by then I had already made my mind up, I feel I need a change."
In his final weeks as a Barcelona player, Xavi has the chance to lift his second domestic and European treble, with Barca set to take on Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final at the end of May before meeting Juventus in the final of the UEFA Champions League on June 6.
Xavi says he had the idea of leaving the Spanish club for several months. MLS side New York City FC had shown interest in the aging star, but he ultimately decided a move to the Middle East would be best to end his playing career.
"I will go to Qatar with Al Sadd, I have signed a contract for two years, it's an important project," he said. "The script could not have been better. We've won the league, I'm excited to lift the trophy for the last time, I'm going to enjoy every moment of it."
But this may not be the last time we see Xavi at Barca.
"My objective is to come back here [to Barcelona] and work one day," he said. "That is my ultimate aim as it is my home, whether it is a manager or sporting director we'll see."
Credits: Goal