Iniesta: Barcelona Preparing For Life Without Xavi

The Barcelona captain was the first player to speak after the team arrived in the USA and said he hopes for a better 2015-2016 season and the team will be preparing for a Xavi-less Barca

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has said he and his team-mates are preparing themselves for the start of the season and believes life at Barca will be different with iconic legend Xavi Hernandez gone.

“We are going to try to prepare ourselves well for what lies ahead, which is close and very important. After so much time with Xavi, now everything is different, not just me, but for the group. He is a person who is loved by everyone. I hope that everything goes very well for him in his new era,” he said.

On Barcelona’s treble win last season, the midfielder was excited and believes it was a very successful campaign.

“Last season was almost impossible to surpass, but we have the challenge of wanting to do things well to achieve the objectives. It was an exciting and beautiful campaign.”

Iniesta also spoke on the elections that saw Josep Bartomeu voted as president.

“It was a nice day for the club. From the first hour the people went to vote and Bartomeu was elected as president. I hope that he has the same luck as [during] this past year.”

The Barcelona captain expressed his happiness seeing former Barca teammate Giovanni dos Santos playing in the MLS.

“I know him (Giovanni) having shared a dressing room with him and I am glad that he has secured such a good contract in the MLS.”

Finally, Iniesta talked about his future but was quick to refute suggestions linking him away from the Camp Nou and playing in the MLS.

“In 2018 I will be 34. I think about the present, in the immediate. I am excited at being able to continue winning titles. I do not look at the future beyond this season.”