Messi wishes Xavi well as new Barça coach is unveiled
Xavi admitted that the Argentine had been in touch to wish him well as the former player takes over on the Camp Nou bench at the struggling Catalan side.
"It's a historical day for Barcelona. Welcome, Xavi," an emotional Laporta told the supporters during the ceremony where the ex-midfielder was accompanied by his family.
"Thank you all. I don't want to get emotional but I am, I feel goosebumps," Xavi told the fans.
"This is the biggest club in the world and I'm going to work hard to reach your expectations. Barcelona can't accept a draw or a defeat. We have to win all the games."
"I come prepared. My DNA didn't change. We need to take charge, have the ball, create opportunities, be intense. We have a mission to rescue many things that were lost," Xavi said.
Struggling Barça are ninth in LaLiga, 11 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad and 10 behind arch-rivals Real Madrid.
After the presentation Xavi talked about how discipline will be a major factor in his project as Barcelona manager.
"We have to start with new rules that are going to be strict. It's not a matter of being tough, it's about having norms," he told reporters.