Xavi: 'I will retire at end of season'

Xavi has revealed that he will retire as a professional footballer at the end of the current season.

The 37-year-old won eight La Liga titles, three Copas del Rey and four Champions Leagues with Barcelona before leaving Camp Nou to join Al Sadd in the summer of 2015.

Last month, the midfielder claimed that he wanted to manage the Qatar national team in the future, and he has now confirmed that he will hang up his boots at the end of the campaign to pursue a coaching career.

"This will be my last season as a footballer," Xavi told Diario Sport. "I have had the plan of gaining my coaching licence when I retire to allow me to continue in the game and being a coach.

"I've noticed there has been a decline in my fitness and after games I am now feeling more tired and my recovery time is increasing. I have enjoyed a lot of luck in my career by avoiding injury but after many wonderful years I believe it is now coming to an end."

Xavi has scored 15 times in 62 appearances for Al Sadd over the last three seasons.