Xavi Hernandez has admitted he is surprised Dani Alves is staying at Barcelona but less so about news Luis Enrique will remain on the bench.
Both Alves and Enrique confirmed new deal with the treble winners on Tuesday, and both will be at the club until at least 2017.
Xavi, who has quit Barca for Al-Sadd, spoke to Sport about the renewals, the signing of Aleix Vidal and a host of other topics besides.
“I have to admit I’m surprised about Alves. He didn’t say goodbye to the team, not really. He seemed to be going at that Press conference,” the midfielder recalled.
“He seemed like he was going during the treble celebrations and that’s what I told myself. But I’m happy for him and the club. He’s a great player and had a brutal season.
“I told him to stay, because he won’t find anywhere better than Barca. He’s 31, 32, and has time.
“He’s a very important person in the dressing room. Always happy, an amazing professional and a hard worker.
“Vidal is a good signing. He’s young, he’s Catalan and he knows the club. He comes with all the enthusiasm in the world. Imagine a guy who is willing to sacrifice six months of a season to play for Barca.
“I wasn’t surprised by Enrique’s renewal. If I was him I wouldn’t have had any hesitation. He’s been a good leader for the group, won three trophies, and can make history. Why go? Where would be a better club?
“Did I feel betrayed when Andoni Zubizarreta was sacked? No. Maybe I was unsure of the project, the President was to call elections and the project didn’t feel theirs. It’s a question for him.
“The election date [likely July 19] seems a little late, doesn’t it? The team will have started pre-season. The good thing is the Coach continues, Alves remains and virtually the only exit is me.
“The management level is one thing and the issue of elections, and the other is football, and the team.
“I think I can vote if I’m in Barcelona, but I don’t think I will be then as I have to be in Doha for July 15, because we’re starting pre-season.
“You can’t vote by post, right? I’ve always gone in person to vote. I like to vote.”
