I Don’t Care What They Say”: Henry’s Resounding Live Defense of Xavi

In the aftermath of Barcelona’s draw against Napoli, Xavi and Thierry Henry engaged in a live conversation on the ‘CBS Sports Golazo’ program, revealing the deep mutual respect between the two. The Frenchman passionately defended Xavi’s coaching work at Barça during a season marked by significant criticism. “I’m surprised by the work you’ve done,” Henry began. “I don’t care what people say. You won LaLiga; be proud, I know you are.”

Henry reminisced about their time together as players on the Barcelona bench, including their Champions League triumph with Pep Guardiola. “I’m very proud to have shared the field with you. You taught me a lot at Barça. I’ll always remember the day you silenced me and said, ‘Speak when you win something with Barça, and then you’ll understand what this club means.’ So, thank you for that.”

Additionally, Henry placed Xavi among the coaches with the best understanding of the game. “Your footballing brain, to me, is second to none. The only person I know who surpasses you is Pep in terms of how you see football. So, I hope you come back quickly, and we see you on the field very soon. I know you still have the season and all that, but you know what I mean, so please come back fast.”

Responding to Henry’s praise, Xavi expressed his gratitude for Henry’s contributions to Barcelona. “Titi, I appreciate your words a lot; you know I care about you a lot. You had a great impact on Barça, and you helped us a lot. You’re top, my friend,” concluded the Barcelona coach in a heartfelt farewell.