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Sports News of Thursday, 11 June 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Xavi should return to Barcelona while Messi is still around - Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o and Xavi Samuel Eto'o and Xavi

Former Barcelona striker, Samuel Eto'o has advised his former colleague, Xavi, to return to the Camp Nou now that Lionel Messi is still at the club.

Recall that Xavi was tipped to replace Barca's sacked coach Luis Enrique before the announcement of Quique Setien.

Reports revealed that the Spaniard who is the current coach of Qatar side Al Sadd was approached for the Barca job but Xavi reportedly wanted to return at the beginning of a new season and not halfway.

Eto'o who helped the club to the 2009 Champions League title under Pep Guardiola, has encouraged his former team-mate to seize the golden moment now that the six-time Ballon d’Or winner is still at the club.

"I already said to Xavi not long ago: 'You have to go back to Barcelona while Leo is still there' because with him it would all be easier.

"Xavi is a natural leader who knows how to manage emotions and, what's more, he's a very good guy.

"He's upfront, he understands football and I insisted. 'Machine, you have to go back and try to do something with Messi still there.'

Do you think the current Barcelona team has too much dependence on Leo Messi?

"It's normal. Leo is the best player in the world and the best of all time. I'd always pick the team asking Messi who he wanted next to him, in his team.

"Every team in the world wants Messi. Then, you have to give him support. He can't run like a 25-year-old kid anymore, although he does sometimes.

"What we have to do as Barcelona fans is give him the best team in the world to keep enjoying him. He has to play until he's 70 so that we can enjoy more."