Sergio Busquets Is My Natural Successor – Xavi Hernandez

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has lavished praise on team-mate Sergio Busquets, saying that he sees the 26-year-old as his sucessor at the club. Xavi announced his departure from the Camp Nou at the conclusion of the current season and will be joining Qatari outfit Al-Saad on an initial two-year deal with the option of extending it His departure will see Barcelona lose out on a midfield stalwart who has been a constant in the first team for 17 years and has been integral to the most successful Blaugrana team in history. Xavi will take with him an experience of over 750 games and 24 trophies with the senior side.

 However, the 35-year-old feels that Busquets will be an able heir to his role on the pitch as well as in the dressing room as he has the requisite intelligence, tactical nous and the ability to become the kind of player that Xavi has been for the Catalan outfit.

“I feel a weakness for Busquets in every way”, he was quoted as saying by Sport.

 “He is a close friend and I think he's the player who best understands football - whether in attack and defence - in the world. His intelligence to analyse the game is wonderful.

 “He is also someone with whom I have many similarities.

 “I have not said this at the press conference [the day he announced his departure from Barcelona] but I think he’s my natural successor in the dressing room and on the pitch. “He is destined to be the tactical leader of Barcelona for the next ten years.

 “I have no doubt about it.”