While it might seem hard to believe, FC Barcelona and Spanish International players Xavi Hernández (30) and Andrés Iniesta  (25) have both contemplated leaving the club at various times in the past.  Right now, Xavi is living in a sweet moment, with titles and world recognition for his football.  But it was not always like that.  “I have experienced all sorts of situations during my career at Barça so far and many times I have even thought about leaving Barcelona.”

“In the early years, I knew that there was a persona in front of me like Pep Guardiola — and I thought about it [leaving],” noted the azulgrana football player on the program Informe Robinson on Canal Plus, which will be aired on February 22 on that station.

The Catalán player added that, “I was a newcomer to the first team at 17 or 18 years, and these comparisons [with Guardiola] made things go poorly for me.  After two or three years, well, it went poorly.  Things weren’t working.  It was the Rijkaard era, and I thought about leaving Barcelona.  I also didn’t know if the club intended to sell me,” explained Xavi Hernández.

Andrés Iniesta, the other protagonist of the report, talks about the interest from Madrid to obtain his services.  The player from La Mancha recognizes that “there has always been a bit of interest,” but added that “Barça has given my family and me  everything and nothing would make me happier than to finish here”.

The ‘8’ of Barça also mentions his goal in the semi-final match of the Champions League last year against Chelsea and how he fought to be in the final against Manchester United, despite his injury. “I wanted to play in the final in Rome as it was, and that was an unforgetable day,” he confessed.