A file photo of Xavi Hernandez
Al Sadd star import and defensive midfielder Gabi is in awe of ‘hero’ Xavi as the two team-mates get ready for the Amir Cup final against arch-rivals Al Duhail at Al Wakrah Stadium today.
“I speak a lot to Xavi. We want to enjoy this final. He is an example to follow not just in Qatar but to football players everywhere,” Gabi, the Spanish star, who joined Al Sadd from Atletico Madrid, said yesterday.
“I hope it is a great goodbye for Xavi. He’s a global example. I follow him. He’s always on time. He’s always smiling. We will miss him,” the 35-year-old midfielder added.
Al Duhail coach Rui Faria echoed Gabi’s sentiments when he said: “First of all, it’s a big pleasure to compete against him. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s an amazing player. He gives a lot to Al Sadd, that gain a lot in experience and quality from him.”
He added: “He’s my idol also. He gives a lot for the Qatar Stars League. He’s no doubt a fantastic player and a complete midfielder. I think Qatar will miss those kinds of professionals. We always keep the memories of the great ones. He’s one of those.”
Gabi said he is eager to take to the pitch at the new Al Wakrah Stadium, one of the new venues built by Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“I am very motivated to play the first final of the Amir Cup. Since day one of me joining Al Sadd, all my team-mates have spoken about this match,” Gabi said.
“Of course we will be playing on a World Cup venue. So there will be a history there. So that’s a great motivation. We played a big match and we are keen to win.
“We want this season to be exceptional for us because we won the league and now we want to win the Amir Cup. Players from both teams face big responsibility. The final is going to be a party for the fans. I have taken part in many finals but since I live here, it feels very important,” he added.
Meanwhile, Al Duhail’s Brazilian defender Louis Martin yesterday said the entire team is looking forward to making a football history.
“It’s a big match. We can feel the great atmosphere. Big players love to play such matches and we have those players. We are very motivated. We will do everything to win the Amir Cup,” Martins, 30, said yesterday.
“First of all if we go in the past, we played better against them though we did not win. It is a different situation. It is a different trophy. We made individual mistakes last time. We are talking a lot in the changing rooms. This game is always about details. We have to avoid mistakes,” he added.
