Xavi wants Barcelona to show hunger in their quest to land silverware for the first time since lifting the Copa del Rey in April 2021.
Xavi insists Barcelona must prove their trophy “hunger” ahead of the Supercopa de Espana final showdown with Real Madrid.
The Blaugrana are looking to end their 21-month wait for silverware, having missed such success since beating Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey under Ronald Koeman in April 2021.
Barca needed a penalty shoot-out to beat Real Betis in the Supercopa semi-finals on Thursday but are now on the verge of winning their first trophy under Xavi.
Still, head coach Xavi believes his side enter the final Clasico as underdogs, with Madrid having won four trophies in 2022, including the Champions League and LaLiga.
“Madrid is very strong and from a psychological point of view they have a slight advantage because they have played more finals in recent years and have more experience,” Xavi said ahead of the match in Riyadh.
“We have a lot of young players who haven’t won trophies with Barca. When you start playing football as a kid, this is what it’s for: to play a final against Madrid.”
“We are not afraid, we are not anxious. We are facing a golden opportunity to win the title, which would mean a lot in the middle of the season.
“It’s been a long time since we won the title and we have to be hungry, as I told the players against Betis. I see it as an advantage to show that hunger to win trophies.”
“At Barca, winning is non-negotiable and trophies are the goal. It would be the same if it were another opponent. We will go after them with enthusiasm and motivation.”
“We are 90 or 120 minutes away from winning the title and we will do everything for it.
“The first goal was to get to the final and it wasn’t easy. Now the goal is to take the trophy back to Barcelona. It’s pressure that comes with being at a big club, but that pressure is welcome.”