Xavi set to start on Saturday while Thomas Vermaelen will make his Barcelona debut
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has confirmed that Xavi Hernandez will start his final La Liga game at the Camp Nou, while Thomas Vermaelen will also make his debut for La Blaugrana. However, it is still unknown whether or not the … Continue reading
Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has confirmed that Xavi Hernandez will start his final La Liga game at the Camp Nou, while Thomas Vermaelen will also make his debut for La Blaugrana.
However, it is still unknown whether or not the Belgian defender will start on Saturday against Deportivo de la Coruna.
Xavi, meanwhile, will be in the starting eleven and is expected to lift the La Liga trophy at the end of the game.
Yesterday, Xavi confirmed his departure from Barcelona and revealed that he will continue his playing career with the Qatari side Al-Sadd next season. While in Qatar, the former Spain international will study for his coaching badges at the Aspire Academy.
The 35-year-old emerged from Barcelona’s famed youth academy, La Masia, and has made over 700 appearances for La Blaugrana in seventeen seasons.
He is widely considered one of the most prolific passers in football and has played a key role in Barcelona’s domestic and European conquests. During his time at the club, he has won seven La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys and three Champions League titles.
Xavi has earned 133 international caps with Spain and was an integral part of the national side which won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
As for Vermaelen, the center-back was signed from Arsenal for a reported £15 million last summer, but was almost immediately sidelined with a serious hamstring injury. The club eventually decided to have the defender go under the knife in December in a bid to finally put an end to his ordeal.
The Belgian returned to training in late March and had been rumored to be close to a return. However, the club has taken an extremely cautious approach with their investment and not rushed the defender back into the squad.
Programming note: Barcelona vs. Deportivo de la Coruna will be shown LIVE on Saturday starting at 12:25pm EST on beIN SPORTS en español and fuboTV.
