Official: Xavi confirms he will leave Barça to move to Qatari side Al-Sadd

Xavi Hernandez has confirmed he will leave Barcelona at the end of the season at a press conference on Thursday afternoon at the club's training ground. 

He will sign a deal with Qatari side Al-Sadd, although he did reveal there was an offer to remain at Barça. 

"It has not been an easy decision to make," an emotional Xavi said in front of a room filled with journalists. 

"But my head and my body say that now is the moment to leave, although not my heart. I need a change. 

"When everyone talks of the 'Gala XI', my name does not appear, which isn't easy to take, even if the main thing is the group. 

"Barça made me a good offer to stay until 2018, but I will go to play in Qatar with Al-Sadd. 

"My main objective is to prepare to come back here one day, as a coach, a director of football... we will see."

It brings to an end a 17-year career in Barça's first team, during which he has won eight league titles and three Champions Leagues. 

Saturday's home game against Deportivo de La Coruña will therefore be his final league game for the club, with special recognition set to be paid to the 35-year-old by the club and the supporters. 

Since making his debut in the Spanish Super Cup in 1998, Xavi has gone on to make over 700 appearances for the Catalan club. 

And during last week's 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, Xavi became the first player to reach 150 Champions League appearances. 

This weekend's match with Depor at Camp Nou may not be his last for the club, though. 

Xavi's Barcelona career could end on a real high, with the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club and the Champions League final with Juventus still to come. 

Few would deny one of the game's greats the chance to bid farewell to Barça by lifting the Champions League in Berlin.