by
Yaya Toure says that Xavi helped teach him the importance of acting like an ‘elite level player’ during his time at Camp Nou.
Toure made 118 appearances for Barcelona between 2007 and 2010, playing a major role in the Blaugrana’s midfield alongside Xavi who, having been recognised as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, is now shining in the dugout as the team’s manager.
The duo both played a significant role in Barcelona‘s Champions League triumph over Manchester United in 2009, although Toure ended up playing in centre-back behind Xavi that night to help out in an injury crisis.
Reflecting on that Champions League triumph, Toure confessed that Xavi took it upon himself to involve the Ivorian in discussions about the team’s tactics and teach him about life at Camp Nou ahead of the game.
“Xavi was a big example for me, for [Sergio] Busquets, because he knows the culture,” said Toure, speaking on BT Sport podcast James Richardson’s Kings of Europe. “When I arrived, I remember when we at the table eating, he would come to me, he would bring [Andres] Iniesta to me and talk about how we had to play.”
READ MORE FROM THE 90MIN TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
During the victory over United, Xavi grabbed an assist for a Lionel Messi header but had already turned his back to restart the game before his teammates had begun celebrating the eventual goal, such was his refusal to let his focus drop.
“That’s how I try to educate my groups at Tottenham, the fact that these players were elite-level players,” Toure admitted. “It’s the final, you’ve scored two goals, but you’re still focused, still committed, concentrated. [Xavi] did not lose his concentration.”
Toure would eventually lose out to Xavi in a battle for minutes in Barcelona’s midfield, leading to an eventual move to Manchester City in 2010.
“My time at Barcelona was up,” Toure recalled. “I didn’t have many games, much time on the field and it was tough. It was really tough, because me and my understanding as a footballer is enjoying, sharing passion and love. I was happy on the field, but out of the field and on the bench, I was really sad.
“I didn’t try to criticise others, I was blaming myself. I didn’t sign to play football to be sad, and that’s why I moved.”
LISTEN NOW
Listen to the Yaya Toure interview in full in the latest episode of ‘James Richardson’s Kings of Europe’ – the latest podcast from BT Sport Pods out today across major podcast platforms.
Every Monday, journalist James Richardson interviews a Champions League winner from the past 30 years, providing unique insights into some of the biggest moments in European football history: btsport.com/pods
