Barcelona
midfielder Xavi will announce on Thursday that he is leaving the club he joined
as an 11-year-old to sign a lucrative three-year deal with Qatari side Al Sadd,
his agent told Reuters on Wednesday.
Now
35 and Barca's appearance record holder and club captain, Xavi is set to follow
in the footsteps of former Spain teammate Raul, who played for Al Sadd between
2012-14.
Xavi
would also work with Qatar's Aspire Academy, become an ambassador for the 2022
World Cup to be held in the Gulf state, one of Barca's main sponsors, and aim
to start his coaching qualifications, his agent, Ivan Corretja, said.
Corretja
declined to comment on media reports Xavi will earn 10 million euros ($11.1
million) a season.
Barca
said on Wednesday Xavi would hold a news conference at about 1030 GMT after
Thursday's training session.
After
joining the Catalan giants in 1991, Xavi graduated from the club's academy to
the first team in 1998.
One
of the most decorated footballers of all time, he defined Barca and Spain's
spectacularly successful possession-based playing style.
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He
represented La Roja 133 times, a record for an outfield player, and was a key
figure in Spain's glittering run when they won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008
and 2012 European Championships.
With
Barca, Xavi has won three Champions League crowns, eight La Liga titles and a
host of other trophies but has had limited playing time this season under coach
Luis Enrique.
He
is set to receive a rousing send-off at the Nou Camp when Barca, who wrapped up
their latest La Liga title last weekend, host Deportivo La Coruna for their
final match of the campaign on Saturday.
He
could still win another two trophies, with Barca through to the Champions
League final to play Juventus on June 6, a week after they play Athletic Bilbao
in the King's Cup final.
Xavi
made his debut for Spain in a friendly against the Netherlands in November
2000.
He
played in four World Cups and three European Championships and won 100 of his
133 matches for the Iberian nation, controlling play from a central position,
regularly providing assists and also scoring the occasional goal.
His
last appearance for Spain was a bitter 5-1 reverse to the Netherlands in their
opening Group B match at the World Cup finals in Brazil in June.
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