'With you to death' - Gavi sends emotional message to Barcelona boss Xavi after club legend confirms intention to leave at end of the season

After a chaotic 5-3 loss against Villarreal, Xavi announced in his post-match press conference that he would leave his post as manager of the club as he felt that was the best decision going forward for the club. He revealed that the players had not known the same and the press conference was the first time he stated his decision. After the announcement, Barca midfielder Gavi posted a story for the boss on Instagram. The Instagram story read: "With you to death".

In his press conference, Xavi said: "I will leave Barcelona in June. We have reached a point of no return. It's time for change. I think that it's time to leave. I spoke with the board and the club today. I will leave on the 30th of June.

“I took this decision days ago. I already knew it. But it’s time to make it public. I think the players could not free themselves up. I don’t want to be a problem for the club, but the opposite.”

Gavi has already played his final game under the Barcelona legend as he won't be able to play again this season after he suffered a heartbreaking Anterior Cruciate Ligament tear while on duty with the Spanish national team. He is now only expected to return after the end of the season and likely under a new manager. However, Gavi's emotional message resonates with how much the coach meant to him and all the La Masia graduates who came through the academy looking up to him.

The former midfielder's era at Barca will now slowly boil down to a rather sour end as the club sits 10 points off Real Madrid in the league table. However, only a surprise Champions League win could sweeten the end of Xavi's managerial legacy.