Xavi can’t believe Neymar’s departure

13 August 2017: Former Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez can’t believe a player’s decision to leave a club like Barcelona, the midfielder said to Le Parisian about Neymar’s move to Paris.

“It's bizarre that a player doesn't want to stay at Barcelona. It's very rare. Players today move to where they're wanted the most. But nobody could have imagined that he'd leave Barcelona,” Xavi stated.

Neymar left Bacrelona to join Paris Saint Germain. The French team paid his buy-out clause of €222 million ($261M).

Xavi compared Neymar’s departure with Figo’s situation when he left Barcelona to join their rivals, Real Madrid, in 2000.

“It's been 17 years since Luis Figo left for Real Madrid. As with Neymar, it was his choice at the time. I do not know how it happened; if there were meetings, conversations... there are many interpretations of this transfer record."

Xavi understands Barcelona fans’ feelings against Neymar, saying, “I understand the fans are upset, because Neymar gave no explanation. He left Barcelona without a press conference or anything.”

Xavi was promoted to Barcelona’s first team from the youth rankings in 1998. He stayed 17 years with the club, where he won many domestic trophies and four Champions League titles.