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Former Barcelona and Spanish midfielder Xavi will retire at the end of the season, ending an "unforgettable race that has lasted 21 years."
Aged 39, currently playing for Qatari club Al Sadd SC, he has won eight Liga titles and four Champions League trophies in Barcelona.
The winner of the 2010 World Cup will now become coach, adding that he is eager to see "what the future holds for us".
"What I have accomplished in the last two decades has been a privilege," he said.
"Therefore, I believe that it is my duty to take the initiative from the field and come back by football whenever possible."
In a statement published in the Spanish magazine AS, he added: "My philosophy as a coach reflects the style we have developed for many years under the influence of Johan Cruyff and La Masia.
"I like to see teams take the initiative on the pitch, attack football and return to the essence of what we all love since our childhood: football with possession."
The midfielder – who scored 13 goals in 133 caps for Spain – left Barcelona in 2015 and joined Al Sadd for a three-year contract.
He will continue his work with Generation Amazing, a Qatari program created "for the 2022 World Cup to leave a human and social legacy".
"Over the next four weeks, I will connect my shoes to compete in the last matches of an unforgettable race that has lasted 21 years and made me travel around the world," Xavi said.
"It was a privilege to play football until the age of 39."
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