Xavi feared facing Barca

Xavi Hernandez has revealed he chose not to leave Barcelona in the off-season as he feared he coming up against them in Europe. The 34-year-old midfielder faced an uncertain future at the Nou Camp following the appointment of Luis Enrique as the club's new head coach at the end of last season. Xavi, who announced his retirement from international football following Spain's disastrous showing at the 2014 World Cup, was linked with a move to Bayern Munich, where he would have been reunited with former Barca mentor Pep Guardiola. However, the veteran Spanish star opted to stay put in the end, and he was now admitted to rejecting numerous offers from elsewhere as did not fancy a reunion with the Catalan giants whilst wearing the colours of another team. Speaking on a Canal Plus documentary he said: "If it was up to me I would never leave Barcelona, but obviously circumstances take control. I could have left many times, but in the end the 'feeling' for the club got the better of me. "I told the club that I did not want to play for another team in Europe, I wanted to finish up playing at Barcelona, and then we will see what happens in the future. "I did not want to play against Barcelona. I do not want to see myself in a Champions League game, playing in the Camp Nou, wearing another jersey. I want to avoid that situation." Xavi has racked up a record 724 appearances for the Blaugrana, but is set to make his first outing under Enrique this season at home to APOEL in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.