Barcelona won’t just have to worry about replacing the on-pitch talents of Xavi when their midfield maestro makes the move to Qatar this summer.
There’s also the issue of club captain that needs to be resolved but Xavi is in no doubt as to who is capable of taking the armband.
We were expecting him to pick Andres Iniesta, his long time friend and fellow club legend, or Leo Messi who epitomises Barcelona’s values and has spent his entire career at the Camp Nou.
We wouldn’t have been surprised if Xavi had given the nod to Gerard Pique, Dani Alves or Javier Mascherano who all possess certain characteristics that captain’s ought to.
But rather, it’s Sergio Busquets who Xavi feels has the right stuff to lead the Catalan club on and off the pitch.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League final, the 35-year-old said: “I’ve got a soft spot for Busquets in every respect. He’s a close friend and I think he’s the player with the best understanding of football, both in attack and in defence, in the world. His game intelligence on the pitch is a wonder.
“And off it, I don’t know anyone else whom I have the same affinity with. I think he’s my natural replacement in the dressing room and on the pitch. He’s destined to be the leader for Barcelona for the next decade, without a shadow of a doubt.”
No pressure then.
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