Barcelona legend Xavi will finally break his silence over his future at the Nou Camp by holding a press conference today.
Earlier in the summer, the veteran midfielder was widely expected to leave the club to embark upon a career swansong overseas, with Manchester City’s New York franchise the favourites to clinch his signature.
However, shortly before pre-season training got underway a couple of weeks ago, the 34-year-old is believed to have changed his mind and told the club’s hierarchy that he has decided to stay for another season.
Whether the reason for his turnaround was due to a new-found conviction that he can continue to play a full role under Luis Enrique or a failure to agree a severance package with the Nou Camp club remains unclear, with the uncertainty being allowed to linger by the failure of Xavi – who is usually very forthcoming with the media – to make any public comment on his situation.
Today, though, the club’s all-time appearance leader will explain his version of events at 14:30 (UAE time) – barring another change of heart and a now unlikely farewell speech.
Xavi will be absent, however, from Barca’s pre-season friendly trip to Napoli tomorrow after suffering a calf strain in training yesterday.
In his absence, new signing Ivan Rakitic will have another opportunity to stake his claim for a regular starting place in the centre of midfield, while youngster Rafinha – who spent last season under Enrique on loan at Celta Vigo – should also feature.
