?Barcelona legend Xavi has offered his opinion over the future of former team-mate Andres Iniesta as the latter’s contract enters its final year.
The 33-year-old playmaker is only contracted to Barcelona until the summer of 2018, and is giving serious consideration as to whether he will carry on playing past the 2017/18 campaign.
Speaking to ?Mundo Deportivo, Xavi – who played alongside Iniesta before his own departure from the Nou Camp in June 2015 – stated his belief that the Spain international should be free to decide the fate of his own career, before going to add that La Blaugrana should keep him as they “need” his virtuoso ability.
Xavi said: “Iniesta has earned the right to decide. His situation does not remind me of my last season, because he’s played every major game this year, he’s still got enough in the tank for a while.
“You have to respect his decision no matter what. If he wants to renew, or if he does not want to do it, Iniesta is a player who has made history in the club.
“He is one of the best players in the history of Spain. His continuity will depend on him, and hopefully he can continue and he is physically fit, because Barca needs him.”
Iniesta has been part of the first-team set up in Catalonia since 2002, and has won every major honour domestically, continentally and internationally apart from the UEFA Europa League. The centre midfielder has amassed 624 appearances in all competitions since his senior bow 14 seasons ago, scoring 54 times and laying on an almighty 134 assists in that time.
Iniesta made 37 appearances last term for the La Liga giants as a knee injury and muscular issues prevented him from featuring more, and only 21 of those came from the start as the club captain struggled for fitness under ex-Barca boss Luis Enrique.
However, with new manager Ernesto Valverde now in place, Iniesta will give his new gaffer 12 months to overthrow bitter rivals Real Madrid before deciding whether to hang up his boots or not.