The midfield ace has admitted that he thought his former Blaugrana team-mate was all set to follow him out of the exit door
Xavi has revealed that he did not expect Dani Alves to stay at Barcelona but that he was always confident that Luis Enrique would remain at Camp Nou.
Dani Alves looked set to leave on a free transfer this summer after failing to agree terms on a contract extension but on Tuesday the right-back put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, with the option of a third year.
Xavi, who has just left the Catalan club for Qatari outfit Al-Sadd, has now admitted that he feared that his treble-winning team-mate was all set to follow him out the exit door at Barca.
“I must admit that it was a surprise for me,” the midfielder is quoted as saying by Sport. “I was honestly not expecting it.
“After his press conference and appearing to announce his departure, he was unhappy and after what I thought to be his goodbye during the [treble] celebrations, I told myself that he wouldn’t continue.
“He had only told us that he still wasn’t sure about his future and I told him that he had to stay, because it will be better at Barcelona than anywhere else.
“He is 32 years old, so he still has time on his side.
“I am very happy for him and for Barca. He is a tremendous full-back and he has had a fantastic season.”
Coincidentally, Luis Enrique agreed a one-year extension with Barca on Tuesday that will also keep him at the club until 2017.
The trainer’s future had been in doubt in spite of Barca’s treble success, with reports claiming that Luis Enrique had been upset by the fact that his job had been under threat in January.
However, Xavi always felt that the 45-year-old would be rewarded with a new contract.
“In all honesty, the doubts are something to ask him about, but if I had been in his shoes I wouldn’t have had any doubts,” the World Cup winner added.
“He has been a good leader for the squad, he has won three titles and he can make history by winning three more, which would make this side the best in Barca’s history.
“Where would he go that would be better than Barca?
“Football-wise, there should be no doubt, nor with results, his leadership of the team has been unquestionable.
“He is a man with a strong personality and he has left his mark on the squad.”
Luis Enrique’s Barca side will now be hoping to complete a remarkable 2015 by winning the Uefa Super Cup, Supercopa de Espana and Club World Cup later this year.