DOHA • Former Barcelona and Spain great Xavi Hernandez will retire from football at the end of the season to move into coaching, calling time on a trophy-laden career spanning two decades.
The former Barca captain, who made an all-time record of 767 appearances for the Spanish champions while winning 133 caps for Spain, confirmed he would be hanging up his boots in an open letter sent to members of the Spanish media on Thursday.
The statement read: "This is my last season as a player, but I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me as a coach.
"It has been a privilege to play football until 39 years of age and now, I would like to finish the season on a high by winning the Emir Cup and getting to the next phase of the Asian Champions League."
Revealing that his coaching style would reflect the way he was known for playing the game, he added: "I love seeing teams take the initiative on the field, play attacking football and return to the essence of what we all love from our childhood days - possession football."
Xavi made his debut for Barcelona in 1998 after coming through the club's famed La Masia academy and soon became the heartbeat of the team's midfield, winning eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns before joining Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015.
He was one of the key players when Spain won their first and only World Cup in 2010 as well as their European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012, before eventually retiring from the national team after their early 2014 World Cup exit.
Last month, he helped Al Sadd win the Qatar Stars League, the country's top flight, while the team have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Emir Cup.
His former teammates and clubs also paid tribute after news of his impending retirement broke, with Barcelona hailing him as a "football legend" on their Twitter account.
Andres Iniesta, who combined with Xavi to become one of the game's greatest double acts, called him "the best partner".
The midfielder, who now plays for J-League outfit Vissel Kobe, tweeted: "A privilege to grow and share at your side all my career and the best moments. Thank you for everything you've taught the world of football."
REUTERS
Japan failed to break down a determined and well-organised Argentine defence in Paris on Monday in the first goalless draw of the Women's World Cup. Argentina hold Japan for historic first World
Women's World Cup: Dogged Argentina Hold Japan to Goalless
Pochettino was fuming at full-time, confronting Dean and his assistants on the pitch in a lengthy rant that showed his frustration at both Burnley's first goal and Tottenham's missed opportunity.
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer
Giroud put his club frustrations behind him after his second goal in his second competitive game saw him reach an international milestone, cementing his place among his country's greats. France hammered Iceland 4-0 at the Stade de France, with forwards Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and defender Samuel Umtiti also among the scorers.
Giroud targets passing Platini's haul after 35th France goal
Chelsea forward Willian replaces injured Neymar in Brazil
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 14, 2019, with the headline 'Baihakki gets fresh shot at Thai top tier'. Print Edition | Subscribe Topics:
Football: Baihakki gets fresh shot at Thai top tier
Football: China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts after South Korea withdraws (Reuters) - China was all but confirmed as the host nation of the next Asian Cup tournament in 2023 after the only other bidders South Korea withdrew from the process.
China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts after Korea
Lionel Messi has joined calls from across football to continue the search for missing Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson. The plane carrying Argentine Sala, 28
Chelsea suffered a setback in their push for a Champions League spot when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Burnley in the Premier League on Monday and tempers flared at the end of the match when Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri was sent to the stands.
Chelsea held 2-2 by Burnley, denting Champions League hopes
Chelsea boost top-four hopes, Cardiff relegated and Man City and Liverpool keep winning: Premier League predictions. Reliving Manchester United's 1999 Champions League win - 20 years on. Football.
Premier League: Liverpool Back On Top With Win Over Tottenham
LONDON (AFP) - Gordon Banks, the England football team's goalkeeper when they won the 1966 World Cup, has died aged 81, his former club Stoke announced on Tuesday (Feb 12).. Read more at
England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks dies
Iker Casillas responds after Porto heart attack scare. Casillas out of the woods. Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has taken to social media after he suffered a heart attack at Porto's training facility. The Spanish goalkeeper is considered to be one of the best goalkeepers of the last decade or so.
Iker Casillas to retire from football after heart attack scare
Atletico Madrid fell to their first La Liga defeat in five months as they were beaten 1-0 at Real Betis on Sunday, missing a golden chance to close the gap with leaders Barcelona and slipping six points adrift of the Catalans.
Atletico suffer defeat at Betis in Morata debut
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch real madrid vs juventus live streaming of champions league
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch champions league live streaming vk
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
tv soccer live stream sky
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming free online
where to watch champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming app
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch sky sports premier league live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live bbc
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch soccer live streaming mobile
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
watch premier league live streaming zimbabwe
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online
watch champions league live streaming now free
watch coppa america live streaming espn
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming pc
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch live soccer stream android
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch soccer online free streaming live india
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch live soccer streaming on android
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch coppa america live streaming dailymotion
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch coppa america live streaming rcti
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch premier league stream reddit
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming barcelona
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch live streaming soccer games
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch live soccer game today
watch hd soccer live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch everton vs tottenham live soccer streaming
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch sky sports premier league live stream
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch indian premier league live stream online
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch soccer game live now
watch premier league live streaming quality
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch soccer live stream app
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch the premier league live stream
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch champions league live streaming crictime
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
watch premier league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
watch premier league live in stream
watch champions league live streaming bola
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch usa soccer live stream online
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch champions league online free live streaming hd
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch soccer online free streaming live p2p
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
live tv soccer live stream - live3s.com
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
watch champions league live stream gratis
super soccer tv live streaming persib
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch coppa america live streaming online free
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming total sportek
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live cricfree
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch champions league live streaming match
watch premier league live streaming qatar
watch premier league live stream hd
watch coppa america live streaming free
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch premier league live streaming vf
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch coppa america live streaming portugal
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch champions league live streaming xbox one
#Sunday #leomessi #henderson #myfootballuniverse #champion #bayern #coffeebreak #jadwalbolahariini #manunited #meunier #Barca #coutinho #insegreto #Barcelona #serieatim #premierleague #conference #livestreaming #battuteepiche #risate #acmilan #villarealcf #bayervshoffenheim #thebeatles #valcea #lionelmessi #championsleague #winner #salah #footballstreaming #goodday #Liamgallagher #oasisofficial #24x7 #oasisengland #hoffenhiem #sumbertv #liverpool #streamingbolaid #cr7 #realmadridcf #tokyo #adidasslipon #seriea #livestreams #soccermemes #gym #realmadrid #comics #cristianoronaldo #Suarez #4Series #gunners #sunderlandafc #uefanationsleague #liverpoolcity #portsmouthfc #petercrouch #knuckleball #Vip45 #footballschedule #league2 #Celtic #nutmeg #manchesterunited #oasisandbeatles #PartyTime #midnight #thomasmeunier #frasitrap #noelgallagher #leicestercity #satira #oasis #hotcoffee #sixtimes #elcasico #BMW #liverpoolfc #MyDubai #ignoranza #watchlive #footballfans #paulmcartney #trollfootball #lfc #championship #bestshishacafedubai #GarageCafeDxb #england
No comments:
Post a Comment