Xavi: Font promises Camp Nou favourite as coach or free season tickets for a year
The presidential candidate has taken a leaf out of Florentino Pérez's campaign handbook after the Real Madrid hopeful promised Luis Figo, and delivered.
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández stated in an interview with Periodico de Catalunya that he had no intention of getting involved in the current presidential elections at Camp Nou as the club seeks a permanent successor to Josep Maria Bartomeu but the former Spain international and Barça’s record appearance-maker has been thrown into the ring nonetheless as an unwitting running mate for candidate Víctor Font, who has taken the Florentino Pérez approach to campaigning after promising to pay for every season ticket holder at the club to attend Camp Nou for a year.
In 2000, when Pérez presented his candidacy for the Real Madrid president’s position, he did so on the promise that he would deliver Barcelona’s Luis Figo to the Bernabéu. If he failed to do so, Pérez said he would cover the cost of all the club’s season ticket holders for the following season. As it transpired, Figo did make the controversial move from Camp Nou to Madrid but there is little indication that Xavi is intent on answering Font’s call to arms, stating that he is quite happy to remain in Qatar for now.
Font promises Xavi or a free year of football
Speaking on Catalan radio on Monday evening, Font made the bold promise to deliver Xavi, who has long been linked with the Camp Nou dugout, to Barcelona if he wins the March elections.
“Xavi Hernández will come to Barcelona if I win the election,” Font said on satirical show La Sotana. “If he doesn’t, I promise to pay for all season ticket holders for a year out of my own pocket.”