Xavi insists he is still important to Barcelona

Xavi insists he is still important to Barcelona

Published Aug. 22, 2014 3:05 p.m. ET

The midfielder insists he can still be a crucial part of the team under Luis Enrique and says the target for the season is to win "at least one title."

Barcelona captain Xavi insists that he can play a prominent role during Luis Enrique's first season in charge at Camp Nou.

The experienced midfielder had been linked to a move away from Camp Nou this summer, but decided to see out the remaining two years of his contract at the club and has been named captain of the Blaugrana this term.

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Xavi, who retired from international football after the World Cup, is set to embark on his 17th season in the first team, where he has won seven Liga titles and three Champions League crowns.

He is determined to prove that, at the age of 34, he still has what it takes to play at the highest level, with his former teammate now at the helm.

"My time with the national team has ended and now I'm concentrating on my only objective, which is Barca," Xavi said. "I am ferociously competitive. I'll work hard to be useful. I'm more motivated than on my first day because I like what I'm seeing.

"I'm working hard to carry on being important. The coach makes the decisions but I'm ready for anything and will accept any situation."

The midfielder has also outlined the club's ambition this term, saying: "We want to win at least one title."

Ivan Rakitic's arrival adds even more quality to the already-strong midfield at Luis Enrique's disposal, with the former Barca great also signing the likes of Thomas Vermaelen, Jeremy Mathieu, Luis Suarez and Oscar Bravo in recent months.

Xavi maintains that the level of competition will prove a positive for the club this year.

"It's good for the team, we all have to be ready because it's a long season," he added. "Everyone here has extraordinary quality. We've signed very good players both at a football and personal level. The human level is the most outstanding in recent years.

"Co-existence and harmony are fantastic. Results will tell the story but we're starting from the basis that this is a fantastic group."

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