Turns out the reports this summer linking Spanish star Xavi with a move to New York City FC were more than just idle speculation – the man himself revealed Tuesday that he "had his suitcases packed" for the move across the Atlantic before a meeting with Barcelona leadership convinced him to re-up with the four-time Champions League winners.
In an interview with Spanish publication Sport, the 34-year-old revealed that he had seemingly made the decision to move after being relegated to a substitute role for Barça's title-deciding game in May against Atletico Madrid, which resulted in a tie and Atletico winning the championship.
"The decision was made. I was going to New York. It was all done. Everything had already been agreed with [NYCFC CEO] Ferran [Soriano]," he recalled. "A call from [Barcelona president Josep Maria] Bartomeu was what changed everything."
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After talking to Bartomeu and being won over by the vision of newly-appointed head coach Luis Enrique, Xavi ultimately agreed to stay, signing a new contract that will keep him with the Blaugrana until 2016.
"They told me that I would be a useful player, that I had to show this, I’d play and we’d have a great year together. I had a day to reflect on this", he continued. "I enjoy speaking with Luis Enrique, since that first phone call to explain that I was leaving. He convinced me to stay. He was decisive. He changed my mind. I even had the suitcases packed with my wife to head to New York."
As it stands, NYCFC are still on the hunt for a third Designated Player to join Xavi's former Spain teammate David Villa and former England star Frank Lampard on the team's inaugural roster.
