By Chris Wright
Today marks the end of an era with the formal announcement that Barcelona stalwart Xavi has officially signed with Qatari side Al Sadd on a two-plus-one-year deal, just as it was reported back in March.
Don’t it just make you a bit…well, sadd? Like a bit of your soul is being chipped away.
Not that you should worry about ol’ Senor Hernandez though, he’ll be doing just fine.
According to AS, Xavi is set to rake in an annual salary of €10million for the next two/three years, not only signing on in a playing role but also as an advisor at the club’s Aspire youth academy.
In fact, it’s the wet-look hair gel salesman of Catalonia you should be weeping for.
Al Sadd SC, Raul’s former employers, were understandably keen to show off their latest acquisition this afternoon, posting a slew of photos of Xavi ambling around his new workplace…
Officially: Super Star of @FCBarcelona #Xavi hernandez will join #AlSadd from next season pic.twitter.com/wKniOpfPMW
— AlSadd S.C Official (@AlsaddSC) May 21, 2015
#Xavi signed for 2 years with an option for a third year #AlSadd #Qatar pic.twitter.com/57asCcGuDT
— AlSadd S.C Official (@AlsaddSC) May 21, 2015
And here he being greeted at the door by Al Sadd board director Mohammed Ghanem al-Ali…
بوغانم : تشافي اضافة وسعداء بتواجده مع الزعيم #السد #قطر http://t.co/PEjTI5UIs8 pic.twitter.com/rgVv8SnJzf
— AlSadd S.C Official (@AlsaddSC) May 21, 2015
Announcing the news at a press conference in Barcelona, Xavi admitted leaving the only club he’d ever known after 17 years of esteemed service was going to be a big wrench.
“I couldn’t have had a better career. It was a tough decision,” he said
“I think the Qatar project is nice, and it’s ideal for me. In the future I’d like to come back to Barca.
“I had a very good offer to renew with Barca, but I didn’t even tell my mother because she is a bigger Barca fan than me!
“I want to keep playing. I know I can still perform, although it’ll be in a lower-level league.
“Barca will continue to be great without me. I’m convinced.”
Xavi has been able to bow out in style by winning his eighth La Liga title with Barca, and you can add to that a possible Copa del Rey/Champions League treble that is still very much on the cards.
It’s the least he deserves.