Xavi: «I have not been valued enough, no matter what I do there is criticism»

After his announcement to leave the club at the end of June, Xavi once again compared himself to the media. This time to evaluate the preview of tomorrow’s game against Osasuna. However, he was asked again about his decision and the reactions he has had. «After my announcement, I think it is time for unity. These are not easy times and we need the unity of Barcelona fans more than ever. The fans have not failed us. I appreciate the support after my announcement. The reaction is spectacular. Also from the locker room, from affection, love, unity… we are united with the president. The season is not over. We want to do it well. Osasuna is a rival that is a rock, with direct football, Arrasate works very well. It is a team with soul. “We have to be united to finish the season as high as possible.” The coach reiterated the problems he has encountered: “He is mental and football-wise. You have to attack more, be more organized… everything causes confidence to drop, individual performance to drop. The mental comes because at a sporting level we are not well. The decision had already been made. Our work is not valued well. We came in one of the most difficult times. “I had decided months ago.” And make sure you feel surprised by the reaction of the locker room: «In everyday life, you see that there is unity, but I have been surprised by calls, messages, words, that they came to talk… I care about human quality. They have made me excited. The response is spectacular. I do it thinking about the club. To the Gamper, I will come to cheer. I want these months to be the best. We will leave our skin. We depend on them to be inspired. He insisted on the reasons that led him to make the decision to leave: «It is not valued in a general way. This generates wear and tear and more in your home. I have the feeling that whatever you do is not valued. It’s not about putting up with the pressure. We arrived at one of the most complete moments. “I think our work will never be valued.” And looking back he assured that he does not believe that he did many things wrong: “It would have changed the results. It has failed us this season, but we can still make it good, we have two titles left. We are eleven points away in LaLiga and we want to compete in the Champions League. It generates wear and tear to see that you are not valued. And he wanted to show his gratitude to Laporta: «I feel valued by him, always. And grateful. Because of the opportunity, the trust… he told me no. But it’s not for strength. Not everything that is done is valued. Not from within. “That’s why I decided.” «We need a reaction. We need more enthusiasm for the next season, I think like a culé. The priority is to finish well. Think about the Barcelona fan, the president, Deco… the project continues. It is the best decision. “We need a reaction,” he pointed out to justify the moment in which he made the decision. The coach also explained the response he has received from the fans: «The reaction is that I should not leave… that it is a bad decision. I understand that there are people who don’t understand me. I receive affection, esteem… fans, players, president… I feel very loved and that is priceless. I think we have done a good job, but this season we have not risen to the occasion. So far we have come. “Foundations have been laid for the future, for the next coach.” “Being Barça coach is cruel” Xavi did not hide his feelings. «Being Barcelona coach is cruel and unpleasant. They make you feel worthless every day. Pep already told me, Valverde, I saw Luis Enrique suffer… we have a problem in terms of demands. It’s not enjoyable… you risk your life every moment. “It’s cruel,” he said and assured that the feeling he had “comes from the beginning of the season.” He even assured that he does not rule out the team reacting: «It is the most responsible game. We have a lot at stake: to do as well as possible in LaLiga. I am very motivated. This is what I have let the footballers know. “I’m going to give an extra extra to keep this working.” The Egarense did not want to argue with Rafa Márquez, who after Xavi’s announcement to leave the club offered to be the new coach next year: “He is a friend. Perhaps his words were taken out of context or expressed poorly. He is preparing to be Barça coach. He is lawful. And he did not want to link the club’s economic situation to his wear and tear as a coach: “The wear and tear has nothing to do with the economic situation. I have been a club man and will be until the final. We have adapted to the circumstances. I think a very good job has been done. I have a clear conscience. I have prioritized the club ahead of myself. You have told me that I have made 200 excuses, and it is the opposite. “I have adapted to the circumstances and the difficulties.” Related News standard No Football Mendes wants to place Mourinho at Barça Sergi Font standard No Football Conspiracy of the Barça squad at Lewandowski’s home Sergi Font «I don’t rule out returning. The club will have me when they need me. I had it in mind at the beginning of the season,” explained the Catalan, who added: “When I have compared here, I have always said what I thought. If I say we are under construction, you kill me. If I say that we don’t have the Barça of 2010, there is also criticism. Whatever you do, there are critics. They won’t buy anything from me. Neither winning LaLiga 14 points behind Real Madrid, nor winning the Super Cup, nor with the team… it is a matter of the environment, of the club, of demands and of myself… and hence my feeling of leaving. Finally, he couldn’t help but smile when they asked him what advice he would give to his replacement so that the same thing as him doesn’t happen to her: “It’s going to happen to her. This is the problem. I would tell him to be natural and not let himself be influenced. My dream was to coach Barcelona and win, and play football well. I am proud and with a clear conscience. I have believed until the end. My advice to my successor would be that he enjoys it, but it is impossible.