Xavi questions Real loyalty

Xavi claims Barcelona do not get the recognition they deserve in Spain due to their intense rivalry with Real Madrid.

The Catalans have won 13 titles over the past three-and-a-half seasons and are the current world, European and La Liga champions.

However, Xavi feels that they are underappreciated within Spain because so many of the nation’s football fans are Madrid supporters.

“Barca’s victories are more valued outside of Spain than in Spain, but it’s because of the Barca-Madrid war that we have here,” the midfielder told reporters.

Meanwhile, Xavi remains optimistic that coach Pep Guardiola, who is out of contract at the end of the season, will stay at Camp Nou, admitting that the players do not want to even consider the prospect of losing him.

“We are not prepared for a ‘no’ from Guardiola,” the Spain international said. “We hope that he will continue.”

“Guardiola is the leader of the dressing room. He has brought discipline. He has turned us into winners. I think he will carry on.”

Guardiola spent 11 years of his playing career at Barca before returning to take charge of the senior squad in 2008, after a season at the helm of the club’s B team.