Official: Barcelona name Xavi as ambassador of Barça Foundation

As was reported last month, Barcelona have officially announced that manager Xavi Hernandez is now an ambassador of the Barça Foundation.

Club president Joan Laporta and FC Barcelona Foundation director general, Dr. Marta Segú, took part today in the presentation of men’s first team coach Xavi Hernández as an ambassador for the Foundation.

The ceremony was held at the Joan Gamper Sports City, and was attended by members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Board of Directors and Management Committee, as well as the first team captains and members of the staff.

“A footballer born in La Masia, at the heart of Barça, which is a school of life, and a Culé to the core, Xavi embodies the values of the club like no other,” the statement from the club read.

“And that is why the Foundation, which is the soul of Barça, the essence that contributes to enduring and promoting our most authentic values (respect, humility, teamwork, ambition and effort), could not have a better ambassador today.”

Xavi and Laporta give statements

Expressing his delight at being named the ambassador of the FC Barcelona Foundation, Xavi said:

“It is an honour and a great satisfaction. We are in a privileged position to help people in need. We have to do it. As Johan Cruyff said, if you have the opportunity to help someone you should do it. I feel good helping people.

Xavi named the ambassador of the Barça Foundation. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

“We can change the lives of many people, football is a spectacular tool to change dynamics and I think we are in the right place, at the right club and at the right time to change the lives of many people.”

Barcelona president Laporta also had a few words to say about Xavi at the ceremony, as he claimed:

“We are proud that a legend of Barça, a person with Xavi’s personality and his ability to help, has agreed to be an ambassador for the Foundation. Xavi interprets and explains Barça’s values. He understands perfectly the meaning of ‘More than a club’ and knows the importance of defending the Barça crest on and off the pitch.”

It is seen as a move from Laporta & co. to try and convince Xavi to continue as the first-team manager beyond the current season.