Xavi instructed Barcelona to sign Martin Zubimendi after Sergio Busquets’ departure (Picture: Getty)Xavi says he asked Barcelona to sign Martin Zubimendi as a replacement for Sergio Busquets when he was in charge at the Camp Nou. For the most part, Barcelona were viewed as outsiders in the race to sign Zubimendi before the Euro 2024 winner decided to up sticks and leave San Sebastian for north London last year. Asked why he has decided to speak out two years on, Xavi told the Spanish newspaper: ‘For several reasons. ‘The club told him not to say anything to me,and that’s why he came to my house to apologise. ‘He knows it, he knows it now, but there was a time when I couldn’t get in touch with him.

Source: Metro March 09, 2026 08:24 UTC