El Maestro: Xavier Hernández Creus

meh dont mind that, 2016 he'll be 36, and should call it a day anyways.
most legends don't retire at a big clubs.

I really hope he stays at Barca. Wouldn't feel right seeing him anywhere else.

As for being a manager, he's exhibit A of the type of player to become a manager. I'd be surprised if he doesn't become one. His reading and understanding of the game is incredible, he's worked under some brilliant minds and he is obsessed with the game and the Barca philosophy.

Xavi, Iniesta, Alves, and Messi in the FIFA XI

Xavi agrees to join New York Red Bulls after the World Cup, according to Sky Italia.

He would never leave if we didn't lineup the appropriate successor (which Cesc isn't). In other words:

"Barcelona met several times with the agents (his father and uncle) of Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan (23). They want him to replace Xavi." [bild]

His level is so high above any body else in the MLS it's not even funny. It would be sad, really. He's one of my favorites of all time, and I would of wished nothing more than instead of him leaving us, that he instead became Barca B coach with the intention of moving him to coach the first team in the future. He's too good for the MLS

He'll come back and take a management role in Barca when he's done over there (IF he goes), I can guarantee that.

But it just doesn't feel right if Xavi doesn't retire here. It's almost like Abidal not retiring here, except this one would feel even worse

He would never leave if we didn't lineup the appropriate successor (which Cesc isn't). In other words:

"Barcelona met several times with the agents (his father and uncle) of Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan (23). They want him to replace Xavi." [bild]

I haven't watched him consistently enough to really properly judge, but from what I have seen, I really like him. I'd say he's probably the next best replacement behind Thiago. Someone will have to remind me again why we let him leave, though.

That would be incredible for mls. He can still play at a much higher level than that

Gundogan is very different than Thiago. I actually think Thiago would of been better to succeed Iniesta while Gudogan could succeed Xavi. Gudogan is ask only like 22-23. I would highly welcome him here IF he's healthy. He's been out forever with some mysterious injury to his back no one wants to say

Gündogan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>^9000 Alc*ntara.

Anyway. Xavi giving DEM throughballs to Henry again.

Gündogan indeed would be the perfect choice for you. I'd kind of like him to stay at Dortmund, but then an opportunity as attractive as following Xavi in Barca's midfield will not present itself to him again, I guess.

The big if, as windkick writes, is indeed when he will actually be playing and finding form again, he's really been out for quite long now.
He's been insanely good last year, question is what and how long it will take for him to reach that level again.

Xavi 700th appearance for Barcelona

Xavi

if he comes to Mls he could retire at 38 lol

In a year or two Samper will probably be ready to start backing up the "Xavi role" and we will have our motor boat Rafinha back next season. Our midfield is in good hands for years to come.

Nothing would please me more than to keep Xavi one more year; if we can limit his minutes with Gundogan arriving then he should still be able to perform. Similar to the way we are using Puyol this season

Xavi is staying, any thing else is BULLSHIT!

The former Spain international Juan Manuel Asensi was also the first coach Xavi Hernández had in the youth sides at Barça. Now as the midfielder completes his 700th official match with the club, the coach has been looking back on the role he played in the player's development.

"After so many years I can say that I was lucky enough to have Xavi in the youth levels at Barça. It is an honour to have been involved with this little guy who has achieved so much", he said.

"In the history of Barcelona, there has never been or will there ever be a player like Xavi, nor in all of Spain. And he has Iniesta next to him. Xavi has some qualities that Iniesta does not have and vice versa, but there will never be another player like Xavi".

Asensi was speaking on the local Catalan TV show La Xarxa where he could not help but heap praise on the Barca player: "Xavi should have won one or two Ballón d'Ors; he deserved them, but after seeing this year's award you begin to have doubts about it. They should have given it to Ribéry for all he has done in 2013, but with the campaign in favour of Cristiano Ronaldo... I've never seen anything like that campaign before for a player to win an award".

The former Barcelona great made it clear that for him "Messi is the best in the world, without a doubt. But he has had various injuries and Ribéry has won three titles," he went on to argue.

Graham Hunter: "Xavi was the one that went to Martino and said that 'some of what you're doing, we understand. But we're losing our positional play and the elements that make us special. We need to retrench to what makes us good and differentiates us from other sides. And Martino listened and now there isn't a confrontational situation.'"

http://www.newstalk.ie/Is-Xavi-on-his-way-out-of-Barcelona

It was always going to be Xavi the one that fixed our style

Pique posted this picture on Facebook after Xavi's 700th game.

Spoiler:

I knew Xavi would be the first to feel the frustration Said that even before I saw Martino's plans.

Glad he did it in the right way.

I believe he also felt the same about Spain in the Confed Cup and told Del Bosque, but he didn't listen and look what happen.

Xavi: "Linked with New York teams? I didn't get any offer, Henry didn't call me. All I know about New York is that it's cold there now."

Xavi: "My only objective now is to retire at Barça, although I'm aware it could be difficult because of the high level required." [md]

The Franchise wrote:I knew Xavi would be the first to feel the frustration  Said that even before I saw Martino's plans.

Glad he did it in the right way.

Yeah it was obvious, he's the most Cruyffist player in the squad.

2 Copa del Rey? Thought he had won more

Thierry Henry has urged former Barcelona team-mate Xavi to stay with the club until he retires from football.

Xavi has spent his entire professional career at Camp Nou and made his 700th appearance for the Catalan club in Thursday's Copa del Rey win over Getafe.

However, the Spain midfielder, whose contract expires in June 2016, has been linked with a move to MLS franchise New York Red Bulls, who Henry joined from Barca in 2010.

However, Henry believes the 33-year-old would be best served by spending the remainder of his playing days at Barca.

"Xavi can do whatever he wants," Henry said at a promotional event for Puma in Barcelona on Friday.

"For me, given everything he has done for football and Barcelona, he should stay there and spend the rest of his life at Barca.

"Xavi can play in the MLS, in France, England, or in my neighbourhood. I think he's an incredible player. People just don't realise what Xavi has done on the pitch."