The pursuit of Martin Zubimendi was a defining frustration for Xavi Hernandez during his time as Barcelona manager. He envisioned the young midfielder as the perfect heir to Sergio Busquets, a player capable of dictating play and anchoring the team for years to come. But his pleas for Zubimendi’s signature were met with resistance, a pattern that ultimately fueled his disillusionment with the club.
Zubimendi had long been admired across Spain, a product of Real Sociedad’s renowned academy and a rising star in La Liga. Several top clubs, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, recognized his talent. Yet, Xavi believed Zubimendi was uniquely suited to Barcelona’s style, a player who understood the nuances of positional play and possessed the vision to unlock defenses.
Liverpool’s interest intensified in the summer of 2024, and a deal seemed imminent. However, Zubimendi opted to remain at Sociedad for another season. A year later, Xabi Alonso, his former coach, identified him as a priority target for Real Madrid, hoping to fill the void left by aging legends. Again, a transfer failed to materialize, this time due to Real Madrid’s unwillingness to meet Sociedad’s valuation.
Ultimately, it was Arsenal who secured Zubimendi’s services for a substantial £60 million fee. He has since become a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s side, contributing to their impressive Premier League campaign and challenging for multiple trophies. The irony wasn’t lost on Xavi – the player he desperately wanted at Barcelona was now thriving for a rival.
Now, in a candid and revealing interview, Xavi has broken his silence, detailing the challenges he faced during his tenure and the reasons behind his departure. He felt compelled to set the record straight, stating that the narrative presented by the club was “completely false” and that he needed to clarify his position after a period of respectful silence.
Xavi’s core grievance stemmed from a perceived disconnect between his ambitions for the team and the club’s willingness to support them. He admitted to making mistakes, but insisted that his “expectations of the club decreased over time.” He recalled a moment early in his managerial spell when he warned the president that the team wouldn’t be able to compete at the highest level without specific reinforcements, and his concerns were addressed.
However, that support dwindled. The failure to sign Zubimendi, despite his clear recommendation, became a symbol of the club’s shifting priorities. He was particularly dismayed by the departures of key figures like Jordi Cruyff, whose contributions were seemingly undervalued, and Mateu Alemany, a respected director. Xavi believes these departures signaled a turning point, a moment when the club’s decision-making began to undermine the team’s progress.
Despite maintaining a good personal relationship with president Joan Laporta, Xavi felt ultimately let down. He recounted how Laporta had initially brought him back to the club, only to later allow circumstances to unfold that contradicted their shared vision. The sense of betrayal was palpable in his words.
Even the arrival of Hansi Flick, his successor, was shrouded in controversy. Flick personally apologized to Xavi for being contacted by the club while Xavi was still in charge, revealing that he had been instructed not to discuss the matter directly with him. This act of discretion, delivered in a private visit to Xavi’s home, underscored the lack of transparency that had plagued his final months at Barcelona.
Xavi’s frustration extended to the missed opportunity to re-sign Lionel Messi. He revealed that Messi had expressed a strong desire to return to Barcelona in early 2023, following his World Cup triumph. Xavi had enthusiastically endorsed the move, believing Messi could still elevate the team. However, the deal ultimately collapsed due to the president’s reluctance, a decision Xavi deeply regrets.
He believes Messi’s return would have been transformative, providing the team with a much-needed creative spark and goal-scoring threat. He lamented the lost opportunity, placing the blame squarely on “those who are there now.” The story of Zubimendi, Messi, and the unraveling of his vision paints a picture of a manager stifled by circumstances beyond his control, a manager who felt his voice was ultimately ignored.
