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Xavi: Guardiola stopped me joining Bayern Munich

The midfielder says he had the chance to join the Bundesliga side but opted not to because of the Spanish coach.

Barcelona icon Xavi has revealed he rejected a move to Bayern Munich because of a vital intervention from Pep Guardiola.

The 35-year-old currently plays for Al-Sadd in Qatar after turning down the chance to join Guardiola in Germany in the 2014 close season to spend one more year with Barcelona, a decision which proved successful as the club won the treble under Luis Enrique.

Xavi said he had a similar opportunity to join the Bundesliga side while he was in his prime as a 28-year-old, having just helped Spain to glory at Euro 2008, when Guardiola was on the other end of the conversation and persuading him to stay put at Camp Nou.