Xavi Faces Emotional Struggles After Barcelona Departure

Santi Cazorla, a former teammate of Xavi Hernandez, opened up about the emotional challenges Xavi faced following his departure from Barcelona. In a heartfelt interview with The Athletic, Cazorla revealed that the decision to part ways with Barcelona left a deep emotional impact on Xavi, despite his instrumental role in revitalizing the club.

Cazorla explained that Xavi, who took on the difficult task of managing Barcelona during a turbulent period, had put his heart and soul into making the team competitive again. 'Xavi trusted young talents like Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, and it was this vision that helped Barcelona regain their competitive edge. He believed in promoting players from the academy, and now we’re seeing the fruits of that labor with young stars breaking into the first team,' Cazorla said. He emphasized that Xavi’s efforts in giving Barcelona a fresh identity were critical to the club's resurgence.

However, Cazorla acknowledged the emotional toll Xavi faced during his time as Barcelona’s manager. 'Xavi has always been a passionate person, deeply connected to Barcelona,' Cazorla shared. 'When the club didn’t give him the appreciation he deserved, it affected him deeply. He went through a very tough period, which was both challenging and painful for him personally.' Despite this, Cazorla believes that Xavi is now focused on taking time to heal and regroup, hinting that a return to coaching is likely in the future.

Reflecting on Xavi’s leadership, Cazorla said, 'Despite the challenges, Xavi has a huge love for football and Barcelona. I believe he’ll return to coaching one day, stronger and more determined than ever. He just needs time to recharge and be with his family.' The struggles Xavi faced at Barcelona reveal the complex emotional dynamics behind the pressures of managing a high-profile club and underscore the personal cost of such a demanding job.