At 8:45 a.m. Beijing time on November 6 (1:45 a.m. local time), FC Barcelona officially announced: The return of legendary Xavi! According to previous media news, Xavi signed a contract with Barca until 2024. Xavi's debut in charge of Barca will be the Catalan derby in La Liga, with Barca hosting Espanyol. In just 90 days, Messi said goodbye, Xavi returned, and La Porta's Barcelona gambled 2 times, truly ushering in a new era.
On the evening of the 5th, Qatar Al Sadd Club officially announced that Barca had paid the liquidated damages of Harvey's contract, and Harvey would leave Al Sad and return to Barca. However, in the past 14 hours, another god script has occurred: Barça is unhappy with Al Sadd's early announcement, and Barça is reluctant to pay a penalty of 5 million euros.
In the end, Barca and Harvey shared the liquidated damages equally, each paying 2.5 million euros, completely solving Harvey's contract problem. Until 1:45 a.m. local time on the 6th, Barca issued an official announcement: "This means that the legend is home!" ”
Barcelona officials have also announced Xavi's itinerary and plans for the coming days:
This weekend, Harvey will fly out of Doha for Barcelona. At noon on 8 November, Barca will hold a press conference and a welcome ceremony at Camp Nou, with Xavi making his debut as Barca manager. Xavi's Barcelona coaching debut has also been confirmed: in La Liga on November 20, Barca host Espanyol!
Xavi's return is finally complete, another major event for La Porta's Barça era. In March, when Laporta successfully ran for the presidency of Barca, he shouted the slogan of revival: using Cruyff's ideas to revitalize Barca's prestige. From Cruyff to Guardiola to Xavi, that's the way it goes.
La Porta's reconstruction of Barcelona's two major events are Messi's farewell (August 8) and Harvey's return (November 6). For 90 days, Barca was in turmoil and doldrums. In La Liga, Barca scored only 16 points in 11 games, ranking 9th. Played four games in the Champions League and scored only six points. Can Xavi's return quickly boost Barca's morale?
Bringing in Harvey doesn't completely solve the problem. Today's Barcelona is no longer the star-studded, hungry and thirsty master of 10 years ago. What Harvey wants to pass and control football and suppress football is difficult to implement. In any case, Laporta spent 15 million euros (firing Koeman, bringing in Xavi) to make changes, gamble heavily, and promise that "three strong new signings will be introduced in the winter window", which at least gives Barca fans a little hope.