Madrid (AFP)

Xavi, a former iconic Barça midfielder who has been turned coach, admitted on Tuesday that his "main goal" was to lead the Catalan club one day, although he is currently focusing on his Qatari club Al Sadd.

"I'm not hiding it, and I've always said it, my main goal, when it can be done, is Barça," he said in an interview with the daily Marca.

"This is my home, and it would be a dream," added the one who wore the Blaugrana jersey from 1998 to 2015.

"But today, I am focused on Al Sadd, waiting for the next season. When I have to come to Barça, whether short or long term, I will come," he said.

"Above all, I have to respect Quique Setién (the current FC Barcelona coach, in the hot seat, editor's note) and I wish the team all the best," added Xavi.

"Sometimes Barça play very well; other times good; other times not so well. But I like Setién's ideas, now and with his previous teams: to dominate and play a spectacular game," a - he continued as his name comes up often to take the head of the club since the loss of La Liga, won by Real Madrid on July 16.

"I have excellent relations with Xavi and we talk about many subjects. But next year we have a contract with Quique Setién", Josep Maria Bartomeu, president of FC Barcelona, ​​said on Sunday in an interview with the sports daily. El Mundo Deportivo.

Xavi also reassured about his state of health, he who announced on Saturday that he had contracted Covid-19.

"I feel good, although logically isolated. And I can not wait to train quickly," said the technician, at the head of Al Sadd for a year.

He also defended the World Cup-2022 which will take place in Qatar. "It will be a historic Cup, without a doubt. People will be surprised at what the country is. Overall a lot of the criticism is unfounded. Qatar has it all: a small country, hospitable and generous," said Xavi, who arrived. at Al Sadd in 2015 as a player.

"Leo (Messi), I see him playing as much as he wants. Physically, he's fast, strong, he's a competitive beast, a physical animal. I have no doubt that he will play at the World Cup. -2022 ", he concluded.

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