Full Xavi Hernandez leaving speech from event for Barcelona star

Emotional and thankful. Xavi Hernandez had his official goodbye from FC Barcelona ahead of his move to Qatar. The player has spent his entire career to date in the Catalan capital. Xavi has received the affection of Barcelona supporters and staff, not just for his achievements and performances, but because he is a symbol of a good team-mate and a good friend. This was the speech he gave at an event on Wednesday to thank him for his service.

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Many thanks to you all for being here. 

In the first place I'd like to thank every single socio and fan of Barcelona, and everyone who has given me their affection lately. I am very grateful to everyone who has asked me to stay, to those who have chanted my name at the Camp Nou, and to all of those who have thanked me, but the person who's really grateful is me. 

Thanks to Barcelona. I've been here for nearly 25 years, since I was 11, from Terrassa, as a child, dreaming of being a footballer. Not in the best of my dreams could I have imagined what I have lived through here at Barcelona. I have been and I am immensely happy. 

I only have words of thanks to all the coaches that I had in the cantera. From the first, like Asensi or Manolo Lobo, to the last that I had in Barca B, Josep Maria Gonzalvo. 

I was lucky to be here with Joan Vila. Joan, I am who I am, thanks to you. Thanks so much. I can never give back to you what you have done for me. You were the key person in my development. You taught me everything, changed the way I play, and helped me understand the game. Before training with you, I enjoyed it and had a good time, but really all the concepts I have you taught me. 

Here I became a footballer, but a person as well. The titles and acknowledgements are nothing compared to the smiles and friends, they are the most beautiful thing that I have from these years. 

I grew up in the Quinta del Troya, with bermudo, David Prats, Piveti, Antoni Hidalgo and Toni Lobo. With them I shared my youth and 20 years later, we're all still friends. 

And to all the presidents I have had. Nunez, Gaspart, Laporta, Rosell, and Bartomeu, you have always been good with me and I can say I have had a good relationship with all of them. 

As well, with my coaches, including those who were here only briefly, like Antic, Serra Ferrer, Rexach and Tata Martino. I want to give thanks to Van Gaal for his confidence in me. To Rijkaard, who told me that I had to become a reference. To Pep (Guardiola), a reference for me when I was a player and later as a coach. Thanks to Tito (Vilanova), you were like a footballing father for me. I will always carry you in my heart.

Thanks too to Luis Enrique and Zubizarreta, who convinced me not to leave last year. It's lucky I didn't do it, because now I would be tearing my hair out. 

I have lived half a life in the Camp Nou and I have had the luck to share it with the greatest sportsmen and the greatest people. I could spend hours giving thanks to all my team-mates with whom I have shared a dressing room, starting with my current team-mates, and following with the great friends I have made.

As well I have to thank other people, like Angel Mur, Txema Corbella, Alejandro Echevarrria, Pepe Costa, Doctor Pruna, and many others. The dressing room as well; they are cracks. 

Although I have said goodbye to the national team, I would also like to have a special thought for the people from 'La Roja', where I grew and enjoyed, from a small child. A special mention for the memory of Luis Aragones. Mister, wherever you are, you know I can never thank you enough all you did for me. It changed everything.

I have left for the end, those of mine, unconditional. Those who have given everything for me. In the good moments and the bad ones. Ivan Corretja, my friends in Terrassa, thanks for always being by my side. Thanks to the S'Agaro group,and my inlaws. 

To my brothers, you are my life. If I'm here now, it's because of you. Many thanks. 

Thanks Dad, for your advice. I don't know what I could have done without it. Thanks Mum. Without you, I would have left Barcelona many years ago and we would not be here. Thanks for beliving in me, always. 

Finally, thanks to Nuria (wife), the most important person in my life. The two of us go to Qatar, but soon we will be three. Although we don't know the name yet, or the [baby's] socio number, we know we will be three Cules in Qatar. 

And to return to the start. Thanks to Barcelona. I will be eternally grateful for all you have given me. Before I go, I hope to lift another cup this Saturday in Berlin. I hope this will not be a goodbye, but a see you soon. 

Visca Barca and visca Catalunya!