It wasn’t quite Xavi Hernandez’s Camp Nou swansong but when the veteran playmaker was replaced in Barcelona’s 6-0 thrashing of Getafe, you could have been forgiven for thinking it was.
Xavi departed to rousing goodbye, having scored one of the many spectacular goals as La Blaugrana dismantled El Geta, and entered yet another performance of calm assuredness, the metronome who keeps things ticking over in the Barca midfield. The front three might have received most of the plaudits but Xavi more than did his bit.
Speculation still persists over his next step. A move to Qatar or the United States has long been mooted and a visit to the Gulf in the last international break only fuelled the fire. A concrete announcement is yet to be made – and probably won’t be until after Barca’s last game of the season, the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao – but with displays such as Tuesday’s, the question must be asked – is Xavi making the right move?
It’s true that not every opponent will be as pliable as Getafe. There was very little resistance from Pablo Franco’s men as Barca strolled to an emphatic win, a score line that, Barca playing before Real Madrid in Round 34, sent a message to the capital. But there was enough there to suggest that Xavi can roll back the years on occasion. At 35, he has precious such outings left.
Xavi may well prefer to leave a little something behind – to go out while there is a clamour for more, rather than hang on too long and leave having damaged his legacy. With seven League titles, three Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups and more than 750 games – and that’s just for Barca – that doesn’t seem possible, but supporters of any club are fickle. Xavi’s credentials will count for little if he can’t pull his weight.
Barca’s transfer ban is another factor. Despite being under a FIFA embargo the whispers from Catalonia routinely discuss which players the club would like to sign – either in this window, should somehow the world governing body change their minds – or in summer 2016. Xavi could be a stop-gap, an extra body who can contribute now and again – as he did on Tuesday – as Barca wait out their punishment. But the man himself may baulk at a continued bit-part role.
A break from Barca may do Xavi good. Pep Guardiola left, experienced Italy, Qatar and Mexico, before his triumphant return. Carles Puyol, meanwhile, hung up his boots, went straight to a Camp Nou office and lasted less than a year. They say absence makes the heart grow founder and we saw how much the Cules love Xavi in Tuesday’s show of affection.
An extended break – maybe not the seven years of the rumoured Qatari offer – could be what everyone needs. That passionate send-off could one day be replaced by an equally warm welcome back.
