Xavi: Barca icon putting footprint on Qatar beyond the pitch

Mitch Freeley 16:29 01/05/2017
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  • Midfield maestro: Xavi celebrates with Qatar Cup (QSL).

    Full time on Saturday evening at the Qatar Cup final and the Al Sadd faithful began to reveal the number 66 in the stands as the nation’s most successful side picked up the trophy, thanks to a 2-1 win over El Jaish.

    The title however proved to be of extra significance for the Wolves as it was the first piece of silverware in Qatar for Al Sadd captain Xavi, who in the process, picked up his 26th club career trophy.

    The Barcelona and Spain legend’s commanding presence in midfield has been important for a young outfit, which under the leadership of himself and head coach Jesualdo Ferriera has become the best footballing side in the country.

    In terms of statistics this season, his second in Doha, the 37-year-old registered the highest number of assists in the Qatar Stars League, setting up his team-mates on 16 occasions. A tally of ten goals in the top flight is the La Masia graduate’s highest total to date in a 19-year career as a professional footballer.

    Speaking to Xavi’s team-mates, it’s clear that he played a key factor in Sadd’s first trophy since 2015 – which for Qatar’s most-storied club is considered a significant drought.

    Earlier in the season, their 23-year-old attacker Hamza Sanhaji admitted the whole squad wants Xavi to play a role in the history of the club.

    He said: “Everyone at Al Sadd also wants Xavi to lift a title with us. Xavi doesn’t need to win titles, but it would be a good thing for him to lift another trophy with us and be part of Al Sadd’s history.”

    Xavi seems to have settled to life in Qatar off the pitch since he called time on a 24-year association with Barca in 2015. He spends his time gaining his coaching badges at Aspire Zone in the morning, while training with Sadd in the evening.

    So comfortable is the 133-times-capped superstar, that he signed a one-year extension in January which will take him through to the summer of 2018 and his 21st year as a professional.

    Fresh from winning his maiden title in Qatar, Xavi and Sadd will now turn their attention to a domestic double and look to lift the Emir Cup.

    This would cap a memorable second season in Qatar for the midfield maestro.

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