Lewandowski and Cancelo were left in tears after Xavi’s meeting today in Barcelona training | OneFootball

Barcelona fans, but most of all players, were left left in shock as Xavi announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season following their 3-5 defeat at the hands of Villarreal at Olympic Saint Montjuic yesterday.

“We have reached a point of no return. It’s time for change. As a Culé, I think that it’s time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June,” Xavi announced.

“I made my decision to leave at the end of the season a few days ago, but now I have decided to announce it.”

He then had a meeting with the players before training today, where he explained his decision, claiming that his departure would free him and the players for the rest of the season.

The manager was left teary-eyed, and recent reports from Esport3 claim that there were also players crying at the end of the speech.

Joao Cancelo and Robert Lewandowski’s name was highlighted, saying that the duo were in tears at the end of the meeting. Both players arrived at the club after being convinced by Xavi, and seem particularly attached to him.

There were several players who met with Xavi and tried convincing him to stay, saying that they would do anything in their power to overturn his decision. The president, Joan Laporta, too, had no idea that the coach would announce this, and also tried speaking to him.

Unfortunately, Xavi seems cemented in his decision, and told the press that even winning the Champions League this season — miraculously — would not change his mind.

With Barcelona still alive in the Champions League, and still marginally in the race for La Liga, the onus is on the players to give Xavi the farewell he very much deserves. And at the end of it, Laporta and co. will have the pressure of absolutely nailing whoever replaces the coach.