17th October, 2012
Xavi insists that he has no intention to leave Barcelona as he is keen to end his active career at the Spanish club.
The influential midfielder’s current contract with the Catalans runs until the summer of 2014, but Barcelona are keen to hold on to the 32-year-old beyond his current deal and have already opened talks.
“I am happy, I want to stay here for years, the club has already contacted me and there have never been problems,” Xavi told El Mundo Deportivo.
“I’m calm because they’re happy with me and I am happy here too. I’m a big Barca man, and I want to retire here at Barca.”
The midfielder heaped praise on team-mate Lionel Messi, and stressed that the Argentina international deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
“Leo, when he doesn’t score, provides two or three assists. I’ve said it many times, he’s the best, the number one,” Xavi said.
“The Ballon d’Or? If you have to pick the best, then it’s Messi, although I feel sorry for Andres (Iniesta) and Iker (Casillas).”
Messi previously won the FIFA Ballon d’Or in 2011 and 2010.